How did the Russian Oligarchy form?

by Darkpopemaledict

Is there a definitive answer on how the modern Russian oligarchs came into power? I know under the USSR property and industries were controlled by the state, but what happened when the USSR collapsed? Did they buy the various industries and factories that existed, or did people just claim what ever they could get their hands on?

jbdyer

While more can always be said, you may enjoy this answer thread with myself and /u/Kochevnik81.