The Big Steal podcast

The Big Steal

The Big Steal tells the story of Vladimir Putin and his violent assault on human dignity, rule of law, democracy and truth – in Russia, its neighbours and across the West. A former KGB officer, Putin climbed his way to the presidency of the world’s largest nation, and put in place a mafia state that steals from its own people to cause havoc abroad. When he stole the country’s most successful energy company, Yukos, he gave a clear warning of what was to come. Since then, Western enablers in politics, business and the law have helped Putin on his way. Gavin Esler speaks to the people who have challenged Putin, tried to understand him, or simply hoped to survive. He takes us through to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a new and dangerous world that is opening up, and asks the question: where do we go next? Produced by Fresh Air Production

The Big Steal tells the story of Vladimir Putin and his violent assault on human dignity, rule of law, democracy and truth – in Russia, its neighbours and across the West. A former KGB officer, Putin climbed his way to the presidency of the world’s largest nation, and put in place a mafia state that steals from its own people to cause havoc abroad. When he stole the country’s most successful energy company, Yukos, he gave a clear warning of what was to come. Since then, Western enablers in politics, business and the law have helped Putin on his way. Gavin Esler speaks to the people who have challenged Putin, tried to understand him, or simply hoped to survive. He takes us through to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a new and dangerous world that is opening up, and asks the question: where do we go next? Produced by Fresh Air Production

 

#15

Russia Invades Ukraine

In the early hours of 24 February 2022, Russia launched a brutal invasion of its neighbour... more

02 Mar 2022

38 MINS

38:59

02 Mar 2022


#14

Russia On the Brink?

With tensions continuing to grow between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and NATO, is President Pu... more

14 Dec 2021

51 MINS

51:30

14 Dec 2021


#13

A New Breed Of Autocracy

The Kremlin’s lies can be seen almost everywhere across the globe and show no signs ... more

24 Nov 2021

33 MINS

33:14

24 Nov 2021


#12

Protests and Police Raids

In this episode Gavin Esler explores the theft of democracy itself in Russia. President Pu... more

02 Nov 2021

47 MINS

47:56

02 Nov 2021


#11

While You Were Shielding

The Big Steal returns with a new series exploring Russia's continuing journey towards an a... more

18 Oct 2021

44 MINS

44:53

18 Oct 2021


#10

SERIES 2 NEWS + 'Taking Apart Terror' Taster

Gavin Esler brings us news of the upcoming Series 2 of The Big Steal. A new 3-part series ... more

10 Sep 2021

14 MINS

14:27

10 Sep 2021


#9

The Big Steal – Epilogue

Gavin Esler talks to experts on Russia and its complicated political and economic landscap... more

28 Apr 2020

37 MINS

37:27

28 Apr 2020


#8

What comes after Putin?

What comes next? There are clear indications that Putin was behind meddling in the US elec... more

17 Apr 2020

37 MINS

37:14

17 Apr 2020


#7

Russia's War Against Truth

A world of misinformation, disinformation, falsehoods, propaganda - the normalisation of l... more

07 Apr 2020

48 MINS

48:24

07 Apr 2020


#6

Follow the Money

To understand Russia’s journey from Communism to kleptocracy in a generation, the be... more

31 Mar 2020

21 MINS

21:12

31 Mar 2020


#5

The American who made Putin Furious

In December 2013, Mikhail Khodorkovsky is pardoned by Putin for humanitarian reasons: his ... more

24 Mar 2020

33 MINS

33:48

24 Mar 2020


#4

The Man in the Cage

Eight months after his arrest Mikhail Khodorkovsky is put on trial in a Moscow courtroom. ... more

17 Mar 2020

20 MINS

20:21

17 Mar 2020


#3

The Man Who Challenged Putin

By 2003 Yukos was a success story, but Putin’s premiership was not going so well. He... more

10 Mar 2020

22 MINS

22:54

10 Mar 2020


#2

From Communism to Kleptocracy

The Cold War is over and 70 years of Communist rule is flushed away. In Soviet Russia, cap... more

03 Mar 2020

20 MINS

20:50

03 Mar 2020


#1

The Rivals

In post-Soviet Russia, two men are rising through the ranks, but they are following differ... more

03 Mar 2020

22 MINS

22:12

03 Mar 2020