A Moldovan oligarch, Ilan Șor, wanted for a $1 billion bank fraud, has become a key figure within the Kremlin. He engineered a financial scheme enabling Russia to bypass international sanctions and continue international trade. The Economist reports Șor’s rise to power is unprecedented for a foreigner in modern Russia. His success offers Russia a lifeline despite global financial restrictions stemming from the war in Ukraine. The scheme’s impact may extend far beyond the conflict itself. Șor, despite facing legal troubles in Moldova, has managed to deeply penetrate the Russian power structures, demonstrating a unique and concerning influence.