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Bracing for War — Part Two
The coming battle for control of ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih, the former Soviet mining and steel production facility now privately owned by the ArcelorMittal Group, has its roots in the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The ensuing political, cultural and financial turmoil triggered a massive realignment of wealth and power throughout the region, including Ukraine. Those that acted quickly and forcefully purchased state owned businesses for pennies on the dollar.
The Russian “siloviki” — a group comprised of former intelligence agents from the KGB, SVR and GRU — exploited the situation with ruthless efficiency.
Like wolves, they feasted on the carcass of their former country with little care, or understanding, of the role that their criminal activity had played in the conditions precipitating its weakness. Today much of Russia has been internally colonized by this tightly organized group of men. They are known throughout Russia as the “Untouchables”.
Their uncommon power resides in President Putin’s iron grip on the country. His proven ability to maintain political and military control of the Russian state, often during unpredictable and violent internecine conflicts, has characterized post-Soviet Russia since he assumed power in 1999. In short, Russia practices a form predatory capitalism validated and embodied by its leader, Vladimir Putin.
