uh, I am somewhat more in the know about this situation than the rest of you (being able to speak Russian gives me more sources of intel).
the 411 on this situation is: this Yukas oil company only owns the equipment to drill and transport oil, the fields were never purchased from the government, yet they don't pay rent on the oil fields. Now they are planning to sell their company to an American one, that way they can trade an illegal operation for real money through a legal sale.

What would our government do if Halliburton started drilling in a Federally owned land and didn't pay the Feds one red cent for it? I think they would meet a few guys in black suits; then they would meet Bubba in the federal pen.


While I am admittedly not up to speed with the recent developments, I do know the oil company situation relatively well. This situation has surprised me quit a bit, since Putin is the popular candidate and his chances of re-election are nearly certain.