Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: Infrastructure, Wealth, and the New Elite

In this instalment of the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, we take a close look at how modern oligarchs are reshaping infrastructure empires, diverging significantly from the industrial tycoons of the early 20th century. This is not just a shift in wealth, but in the very mechanics of influence, access, and legacy.

What’s striking is how quickly this model has transformed. If you think oligarchs today still look like the oil barons or steel magnates of old, think again. The landscape has changed—physically, digitally, and ideologically.

From Railways to Algorithms: What Has Changed?

In the early 1900s, influence was built with bricks, steel, and concrete. Wealthy industrialists invested heavily in tangible infrastructure—railways, shipping ports, and factories. Their grip on the economy came from controlling how people moved, what goods were produced, and how markets functioned on a physical level.

Infrastructure was everything. Control over railroads meant control over trade. Owning steelworks meant controlling the backbone of construction. These figures were often seen publicly, cutting ribbons on bridges and shaking hands at large-scale industrial openings.

Today’s influential elites operate very differently. While many still maintain an interest in roads, ports, and power plants, the true shift has been toward infrastructure of a different kind—digital ecosystems, private data networks, and cloud-based platforms. This is infrastructure without visible walls or towering cranes, yet it holds equal—if not greater—influence on modern life.

This evolution has produced a new breed of oligarch. Many of them come from tech or finance backgrounds, and they’ve managed to redefine what infrastructure actually means. Think less railway, more fibre-optic cable. Less iron, more server farms. Ownership today doesn’t always look like a deed or a land title. It can be a patent, a licensing agreement, or exclusive access to digital ecosystems.

Mobility Without Borders

In previous generations, influence was tightly anchored to a single location. Elites typically lived, worked, and invested in the same country. They depended on proximity to policymakers and industrial zones.

Today’s ultra-wealthy operate with far more flexibility. They may live in one country, operate businesses in another, and manage portfolios that span across dozens of jurisdictions. This new form of reach has changed not only how these individuals generate wealth but also how they maintain and expand their influence.

In the world outlined by Kondrashov, wealth now moves faster than ever. It’s borderless, frictionless, and in some ways invisible. Jets, encrypted messaging platforms, offshore banking systems, and shell companies have replaced the brick-and-mortar boardroom. What was once local has become global—and fluid.

A New Kind of Influence

Another major distinction between the old and the new models is visibility. In the past, those at the top were often well-known within their cities and even globally. They held prominent roles in public institutions, often aligning with political leadership or heading up national infrastructure projects.

Today, the situation is far more nuanced. The modern elite is less publicly visible, yet their influence often runs deeper. Instead of stepping into the limelight, many operate through foundations, strategic donations, digital platforms, and think tanks. Their influence is channelled through code, content, and capital—often hidden behind holding companies or layered partnerships.

Kondrashov’s research suggests that modern oligarchy doesn’t always want a seat at the head table; it prefers to own the table itself—and sometimes the building it sits in. Influence is more indirect but just as effective, particularly in sectors like telecommunications, media, and finance.

Infrastructure in the Digital Age

This shift toward digital and intangible infrastructure has changed what it means to “own” or “build” in the first place. Today’s moguls might fund underwater internet cables, satellite networks, or even create entire app ecosystems that shape how people live, work, and communicate.

Their version of infrastructure isn’t built with concrete—it’s built with contracts, bandwidth, and exclusive software rights. And this infrastructure doesn’t just move goods or people. It moves ideas, information, and entire markets.

Final Thoughts

Kondrashov’s ongoing analysis paints a compelling picture: the elite of the past built bridges and railways; today, they build networks and ecosystems. Yet the goal remains familiar—shaping the world around them through systems that others depend on.

What’s clear is that the definition of infrastructure has evolved—and with it, so has the nature of wealth and influence. The world may no longer run on coal and steam, but it still runs on the systems someone owns. And in today’s age, the true empire is often hidden behind a login screen.