In first place in the Forbes list for 2026 is the owner of Nordgold, CEO of the Severgroup holding, Alexey Mordashov. For the first time in the history of the ranking, the wealth of a billionaire from Russia exceeded $30 billion.
The combined wealth of 155 Russian billionaires increased from $625.5 billion (€534.6 billion) in 2025 to a record $696.5 billion (€595.3 billion) - despite the slowdown in the growth of the Russian economy and sanctions. This is reported in the Forbes ranking for 2026 on Thursday, April 23.
In first place by a large margin is the owner of Nordgold, CEO of the Severgroup holding, Alexey Mordashov ($37 billion or €32 billion). For the first time in the history of the ranking, the wealth of a billionaire from Russia exceeded $30 billion (€26 billion). Mordashov's position strengthened mainly due to a nearly 80% increase in gold prices over the year. In second place is the head of the Interros holding and Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Potanin ($29.7 billion or €25.4 billion). Rounding out the top three is the head of the Public Council of the Our Future Foundation, founder and major shareholder of Lukoil, Vagit Alekperov ($29.5 billion or €25.2 billion).
The List of Billionaires with Russian Citizenship Expanded
The list of billionaires with Russian citizenship has expanded from 146 to 155 individuals. The increase was mainly due to "newcomers" - there are 14 of them in the list, and three former billionaires returned to the list. Four Russians left it due to a decrease in business valuations, and another three lost their main assets by court decisions: Dmitry Kamenshchik had Domodedovo Airport confiscated, Konstantin Strukov lost the gold mining company YGK, and Denis Shengelov lost the food holding KDV, Forbes reports. The founder of Yandex and co-owner of Nebius Group, Arkady Volozh, dropped out of the Russian list as he renounced his Russian citizenship.
The Richest "Newcomer" - Ruslan Rakhimkulov
The richest "newcomer" is Ruslan Rakhimkulov, son of former billionaire Megdet Rakhimkulov and owner of the Hungarian investment company Kafijat ($1.9 billion or €1.6 billion). He owns stakes in Hungary's largest enterprises - OTP Bank and the oil and gas company MOL.
In the Top Ten - Leonid Mikhelson, Suleiman Kerimov, and Vladimir Lisin
Also in the top ten are Leonid Mikhelson, chairman of Novatek, and his family, senator Suleiman Kerimov and his family, chairman of the board of directors of the Novolipetsk Steel Plant Vladimir Lisin, as well as co-owner of Novatek and Sibur, Gennady Timchenko.
According to Forbes Russia, the number of Russians on the billionaire list and their total wealth sharply declined in 2022 after the start of the war in Ukraine. Later, both indicators began to rise again. Forbes has been keeping its list since 1987.
