Boris Berezovsky and Elena Lesnevskaya were both prominent business figures in Russia during the 1990s and early 2000s. Berezovsky was a Russian oligarch and businessman who was involved in various industries, including media and automobiles. He was also a political figure and was influential in the Russian government during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin.
Post-Soviet Russia
Lesnevskaya is a Russian media executive who co-founded the TV-6 network in Russia. She spent many years shaping the country’s media landscape and played a key role in developing independent television in Russia.
It is not clear if there was a direct connection between Berezovsky and Lesnevskaya. But they were both part of the Russian business and political scene during the same time period and had interactions or connections.
Boris Berezovsky and Elena Lesnevskaya maintained close ties with President Boris Yeltsin, who led the Russian Federation from 1991 to 1999. As influential figures in post-Soviet Russia, they actively supported Yeltsin’s political agenda and shaped the country’s evolving media and business environment.
This archival footage highlights their involvement during a transformative era, making it a valuable asset for documentaries on Russian oligarchs, 1990s Kremlin politics, and the rise of independent media.
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📌 Keywords: Boris Berezovsky, Elena Lesnevskaya, Boris Yeltsin, Russian politics 1990s, Kremlin insiders, Russian oligarchs, independent media, post-Soviet transition, TV-6 Russia
Berezovsky was an influential figure in Yeltsin’s government and was considered to be part of the President’s inner circle. He used his influence to amass wealth and power through his business dealings, which included media and automobiles.
Videos of Lesnevskaya, the co-founder of the TV-6 network in Russia addressing President Yeltsin
Elena Lesnevskaya, on the other hand, was the co-founder of the TV-6 network in Russia, which was one of the country’s first independent television networks. During Yeltsin’s presidency, TV-6 played an important role in promoting freedom of speech and was seen as a symbol of Russia’s fledgling democracy.
Yeltsin was known for his reforms and for ushering in a new era of democracy and market capitalism in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Berezovsky and Lesnevskaya were both beneficiaries of the political and economic changes that took place during Yeltsin’s presidency and were influential figures in their own right.
Elena Lesnevskaya may have said to Boris Yeltsin in a direct address.
Elena Lesnevskaya may have said to Boris Yeltsin in a direct address. Lesnevskaya was a media executive and co-founder of the TV-6 network in Russia, and Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, so it’s possible that they had occasion to interact or communicate during Yeltsin’s presidency.
Public record of what Lesnevskaya said addressign Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich I appeal directly to you
00:00.0 – 00:59.0 2 ru-ru 0.94 Boris Nikolayevich I appeal directly to you I know who killed Vlad after you signed the decree on the beginning of NTV in November 1993, in my opinion It was wildly indignant How can I talk to you like that On November 7, at your dacha during the shooting with Eldar, you swear to me that we will have alternative independent television where all independent television companies can come and make independent television, and suddenly one television company gets its hands behind which they stand
From 00:59 to 01:32, the speaker says:
“I called the entire channel. I ate, I cried, I sobbed. …. explained to her that they set you up again. …. don’t know if that played a role, if something else did, or if someone gave you advice—but you stopped your order before finalizing the main decisions. Then, eight hours later, Igor Malashenko, the director, called me.”
From 01:33 to 02:32, the speaker recalls an interaction involving NTV. They said, “I don’t know—did I say it or not? I put you on speaker to let you hear.” I replied, “If he wants to see me, let him come to REN-TV.”
Gusinsky then grabbed the phone—very politely, almost affectionately—and said he couldn’t come to me. He kindly asked all independent television executives to come to him instead. So we went: Vlad Listyev, Irena Lesnevskaya, Andrey Vishnevsky, Andrey Razbash, Anatoly Malkin—everyone involved in OTV, REN-TV, and Channel One at the time.
We arrived in Usinsk, and for 40 minutes Gusinsky ran around the room, shouting and pacing, upset that one woman hadn’t been assigned to a research institute.
Russian oligarch
Everything was stolen there, that they are ready for journalists to make a ready-made structure that costs inexpensively 300 400,000 dollars
A key Kremlin insider, Berezovsky publicly announces his resignation. He holds high-level meetings with Chechen separatist leaders and the President of Georgia, and outlines Russia’s post-war strategy for Chechnya. Here he is emphasizing peacebuilding, economic reconstruction, and private investment initiatives.
oligarchic influence
Featuring exclusive direct speech, uncensored political dialogue, and behind-the-scenes moments, this footage offers unparalleled insight into Russia’s transitional years. It shows oligarch power, media control, and Chechen conflict negotiations played defining roles in shaping the modern Russian state.
This segment illustrates Berezovsky’s evolving role as a political fixer & business magnate. He is a mediator between Moscow and the volatile North Caucasus region. A valuable asset for anyone covering post-Soviet Russia, 1990s Kremlin politics, or the Chechnya peace process.
exclusive direct speech
02:33.0 – 03:15.0 1 ru-ru 0.90 For half a year I tried this decree and now the decree stopped. He killed us, insulted us, said that what could be more important for a mother. You have one son so that your son is alive and healthy at the service station of the first kilometer. Something is constantly it happens by accident, it can hit the car, roll over and burn out. In short, we were so intimidated that we signed a joint agreement with all television companies that we would be on the NTV channel
03:16.0 – 03:39.0 1 ru-ru 0.90 make your own programs and send them to this channel really, indeed, our programs go through this channel there already later Yes, literally a week later, after that, a decree was signed intv.com
03:41.0 – 04:40.0 1After two or three weeks, a journalist we knew called us and said, “Guys, you need a security service.” It was Ivan Kononov from NTV. Ivanov called and said, “Hi, you really need a security team—just in case. I haven’t forgotten about what happened in Usinsk. I’ll send someone your way.”
Two men showed up. They said they were out of work, that they used to work in Rio, but the operation there collapsed and everything was stolen. They offered to build a full security structure for journalists—ready to go—for just $300,000 to $400,000. We were shocked. We said, “We don’t have that kind of money!”
They started talking about drawing up plans for “eliminating liquidators,” injections, umbrellas…
03:41.0 – 04:40.0 2 ru-ru 0.93 after 2-3 weeks our friend journalist called us once I said guys you need a security service This is Ivan Kononov who works for NTV Ivanov called and says Hi you need a security service You never know in general, in Usinsk this is not for you
Lesnevskaya – Russian Media Executive | Boris Berezovsky – Oligarch & Business Tycoon
Elena Lesnevskaya, a pioneering Russian television executive, co-founded TV-6, one of Russia’s first independent broadcasters. Known for her influence in shaping post-Soviet media, she played a critical role in building independent journalism in Russia.
media privatization
Boris Berezovsky, a powerful Russian oligarch, political strategist, and media mogul, held close ties to the Kremlin and led key business ventures during the Yeltsin era. He actively influenced Russian politics, media ownership, and high-stakes power plays throughout the 1990s.
🎞 This archival footage features both figures at the intersection of Russian business, media, and political power, offering rare documentation of media reform, Kremlin dynamics, and the rise of oligarch-controlled television.
Elena Lesnevskaya, Boris Berezovsky, Russian media history, TV-6, Kremlin oligarchs, 1990s Russia, Russian business elite, independent television Russia, post-Soviet power struggles, Russian journalism archive
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