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 Burdan Arkady Burdan Maestro Arkady Burdan (born April 7, 1944) is an American fencing coach of Soviet descent. He is the two-time Olympic Fencing Coach for the United States (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008). Maestro Burdan was the United States Fencing Association's Elite Coach of the Year (2002) and he was inducted into the US Fencing Hall of Fame in 2009. He is also the founder of the Arkady Burdan Foundation, a non-profit centered on enriching the physical, academic, and character development of children in need through the sport of fencing. Arkady Burdan is a founder of Nellya Fencers, a fencing club