What is surprising is the ease with which the Oligarchy can rig the sell offs of the state owned enterprises ! Is there no real opposition to the "Family"?
Ulhas --- There is opposition. This is reflected in the Slavneft auction being corrupt but not nearly Yeltsin-era-level corruption. Abramovich, the oligarch whose company Sibneft, along with Tymen Oil Co., is not a Family member. He is close to Putin.
Most people agree that the "Petersburgers" (esp. the FSB and the cops) have been muscling in on the Family action. This is highly visible in the following: Just about every business in Russia needs a "krysha," which means "roof" but is slang for "protection." In the 90s, it was mostly criminal gangs. Now, you can get a legal krysha by going down to the local police station and paying them. They will send two big burly guys with guns down to your restaurant or whatever to protect it. Very effective private-security agencies are also available (ex-KGB and ex-special forces employees).