Death of a Nation 2/6

Summary

The video script explores the transformation of Moscow into a symbol of wealth and power, contrasting the opulence of the few with the struggles of the many. It features individuals like Vladimir Potanin, who transitioned from a doctor to a wealthy undertaker, and Sergey Veremey, a former geologist turned multi-millionaire. The narrative delves into the darker side of Russia's economic boom, including corruption, criminality in the funeral business, and the exploitation of state assets by oligarchs. It also touches on the plight of ordinary citizens, like Smirnoff, who face the might of the wealthy and the state, often leading to violent confrontations and the loss of their homes.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Moscow has transformed from the heart of global class struggle to a symbol of Russia's new capitalist prosperity, with vast fortunes concentrated in the hands of a few.
• 💼 Vladimir Potanin's success story exemplifies the new Russian business elite, transitioning from a doctor in Soviet times to becoming Moscow's largest undertaker with a significant annual turnover.
• 🚨 The funeral business in Russia is unexpectedly lucrative and fraught with criminality, ranking third in unofficial criminal activities just behind arms and drug trafficking.
• 🔫 Last year, a high-profile incident involving the murder of a businessman's bodyguard and driver highlighted the high stakes and risks associated with wealth accumulation in Russia.
• 💰 The rapid and often ruthless acquisition of wealth in the 1990s has given rise to a new class of individuals known as oligarchs, who have amassed fortunes through connections and the privatization of state assets.
• 🕍 Sergey Veremey, once a humble geologist, now a multi-millionaire, represents the new rich who are investing in real estate and religion as a means to distance themselves from their past and the country's history.
• 🏡 The acquisition of land by the wealthy often comes at the expense of ordinary citizens, as seen with Sergey Veremey's plan to convert farmland into luxury real estate, displacing long-time residents.
• 🛑 The use of state power, such as anti-terrorist police, to enforce the interests of the wealthy against ordinary citizens, as in the case of Smirnoff and his neighbors, underscores the alignment between the authorities and the elite.
• 📉 The script suggests a pervasive sense of corruption and inequality in Russia, where the surface-level changes mask a deep-seated system that favors the rich and powerful.
• 🌐 The narrative reflects a broader global concern about the concentration of wealth and power, and the impact it has on social justice and the livelihoods of ordinary people.

Q & A

What was Moscow's former role and how has it changed according to the script?

Moscow was once the headquarters of the global class struggle but has now become the capital of the Russian good life.

How has the wealth distribution in Moscow been perceived to change?

The script suggests that vast fortunes have collected in the hands of a very few people, leading to a perception of unfair wealth distribution.

What significant change did Vladimir Potanin's career undergo as described in the script?

Vladimir Potanin transitioned from being a doctor in accident and emergency in Soviet times to becoming Moscow's biggest undertaker.

What is the annual turnover of Vladimir Potanin's business as mentioned in the script?

The script states that Vladimir Potanin's business has an official annual turnover of close to 100 million pounds.

What is the nature of the funeral business in Moscow as described in the script?

The funeral business in Moscow is described as being rife with criminality and unofficially ranks third in terms of profitability, just behind sex trafficking and the arms trade.

What incident involving violence did the script mention as related to the funeral business?

The script mentions that last year, Palin's bodyguard and his driver were killed and his car was shot up.

Who is Sergey Veremey and what is his background according to the script?

Sergey Veremey is described as a former humble geologist in Soviet times who is now worth 500 million dollars.

What significant purchase did Sergey Veremey make recently as per the script?

Sergey Veremey recently acquired 400 acres of land on the outskirts of Moscow from a group of former collective farm workers.

What is Sergey Veremey's plan for the land he purchased?

Sergey Veremey plans to turn the land he purchased into prime real estate.

What does the script suggest about the current state of wealth acquisition in Russia?

The script implies that in the 90s, one had to be unscrupulous and fast to acquire wealth, but now it's more about being in power or being a bureaucrat to feel safe about wealth or to amass new wealth.

What conflict is described in the script involving Rey Smirnoff and his neighbors?

Rey Smirnoff and his neighbors are fighting a decision to demolish their homes, which they claim are illegal. They were raided by anti-terrorist police, leading to a conflict with the authorities.