Controversial photos inside the homes of Russia's ultra-rich show the country's problem with wealth inequality

Lilia Li-Mi-Yan

Russia has greater economic disparity than any other major global power. In 2014, Credit Suisse's Global Wealth Report claimed that those in Russia's richest 10% control 85% of the country's wealth. Additionally, just 111 billionaires have been found to control 19% of total household wealth in the country, according to the report.

This alarming discrepancy is what photographer Lilia Li-Mi-Yan set out to explore in her series "Masters and Servants," an intimate view of Russia's elite photographed within their homes, alongside their hired help.

"For those who can afford it, it's a common situation to hire a helper," Li-Mi-Yan told Business Insider. "I was interested in [these] people's stories and their [relationships]."

Li-Mi-Yan photographed this series in Moscow.

According Li-Mi-Yan, finding the employers to photograph wasn't difficult. "These were mostly people that I was acquainted with," she said. "Most of them agreed to take part in my project with enthusiasm."

Before each shoot, Li-Mi-Yan would meet with the subjects to discuss and explain the project.