Roman Abramovich: From rags, to riches, to 'ripping off' Ukraine

Sky News Daily

Friday, 6 June 2025 - 21 minutes

The government is threatening to take former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich to court over the proceeds of the sale of the club. Three years after being sanctioned for the oligarch's links to the Russian president, £2.5bn remains frozen in a bank account. The funds are earmarked for Ukrainian aid, but where will they end up? In today's episode, Niall Paterson talks to the financier and author Bill Bowder and Sky's sports correspondent Rob Harris about how Abramovich went from orphan to oligarch and where sanctions leave him today. Lawyers for Abramovich did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Producer: Gabriel Radus and Emily Hulme Editor: Philly Beaumont