A lisher Usmanov is one of Russia's most prominent and well-connected oligarchs, with a vast business empire spanning metals, mining, and telecommunications. Born in Uzbekistan when it was part of the Soviet Union, his career began after he moved to Moscow. He made his initial fortune manufacturing plastic bags, but his wealth grew exponentially through his investments in the metals industry.

His primary asset is his stake in Metalloinvest, a leading global iron ore and hot briquetted iron producer. He also has significant interests in telecommunications, having been a major shareholder in mobile operator MegaFon. Usmanov has also been a notable early investor in technology, having made lucrative investments in companies like Facebook and Xiaomi through his partnership with Yuri Milner. Known for his close ties to the Kremlin, Usmanov was among the first wave of Russian oligarchs to be heavily sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, and other Western nations following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.