| After the economic decline that followed the break-up of the Soviet Union in the nineties, Russian economy finally seems to be on the rise. Many attribute it to the alleged success of president Putin s economic programmes, others say its all about the price of oil. Oil and gas exports bring billions of dollars in revenues yearly and constitute more than half of Russia s GDP. In central parts of Russia populations of whole cities are engaged solely in oil industry and major national oil companies have significant influence on local politics. The oil boom led to serious lack of human resources in the oil rich regions, and these areas attract workers from all over Russia. |
