Who are Usmanov and Fridman, the Russian oligarchs France helped remove from the EU sanctions list?

The European Union is expected to lift sanctions on two high-profile Russian oligarchs — Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. The push was spearheaded by Slovakia, yet it was France that held the new round of sanctions extensions hostage, reportedly to secure the release of two French prisoners held by Azerbaijan.

Both Usmanov and Fridman have extensive history as top Kremlin-linked businessmen, servicing state financial flows, funding defense sector assets, and supporting Russia's war effort.

Photo: Igor Ivanko / AFP via Getty Images.