Russian oligarch 2004, Putin apparently engaged in a power-struggle with some oligarchs, reaching a "grand bargain" with them. This bargain allowed the oligarchs to maintain their powers, in exchange for their explicit support of – and alignment with – Putin's government. Many more business people have become oligarchs during Putin's time in power, and often due to personal relations with Putin, such as the rector of the institute where Putin obtained a degree in 1996, Vladimir Litvinenko, and Putin's childhood friend and judo-teacher Arkady Rotenberg. However, other analysts argue that the oligarchic structure has remained intact under Putin, with Putin devoting much
Arkady Mikhailovich Chernetsky Center. Arkady Mikhailovich Chernetsky Arkady Mikhailovich Chernetsky () (born May 8, 1950) is a Russian politician who has served as Mayor of Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia since January 1992 to November 2, 2010. Arkady Mikhailovich Chernetsky was born on May 8, 1950 in Nizhny Tagil to an engineer (his father) and a surgeon (his mother). In 1972, he graduated from the metallurgical department of the Ural Polytechnic Institute. From 1972 to 1974 Chernetsky served as a tank platoon commander in the Soviet army. He was stationed in the Turkmenia Military District. He completed his term of service as a colonel.