ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Bratva structure[edit]
Note that these positions are not always official titles, but rather are understood names for roles that
an individual performs.

 Pakhan – also called Boss, Krestniy Otets ("Capo di tutti capi | Godfather") Vor ("Thief"), Papa,
or Avtoritet ("Authority"), controls everything. The Pakhan controls four criminal cells in the
working unit through an intermediary called a "Brigadier."[43]
 Two Spies – watch over the action of the brigadiers to ensure loyalty and none become too
powerful. They are the Sovietnik ("Support Group") and Obshchak ("Security Group").
 Derzhatel obschaka, the bookkeeper, collects money from Brigadiers and bribes the
government to Obshchak (money mafia intended for use in the interests of the group). This
could be Brigadier, Pakhan, Authoritet.
 Brigadier – also called Avtoritet ("Authority"), is like a captain in charge of a small group of men,
similar to Caporegime in Italian-American Mafia crime families and Sicilian Mafia clans. He gives
out jobs to Boyeviks ("warriors") and pays tribute to Pakhan. He runs a crew which is called a
Brigade (Bratva). A Brigade is made up of 5–6 Patsanov or Brodyag.
 Bratok - also called Patsan, or Brodyaga works for a Brigadier having a special criminal activity
to run, similar to soldiers in Italian-American Mafia crime families and Sicilian Mafia clans. A
Boyevik is in charge of finding new guys and paying tribute up to his Brigadier. Boyeviks also
make up the main strike force of a brigade (bratva).
 Shestyorka – is an "associate" to the organization also called the "six", similar to associates in
Italian-American Mafia crime families and Sicilian Mafia clans. Is an errand boy for the
organization and is the lowest rank in the Russian Mafia. The sixes are assigned to some
Avtorityets for support. They also provide an intelligence for the upcoming "delo" or on a certain
target. They usually stay out of the main actions, although there might be exceptions, depending
on circumstances. During a "delo" Shestyorkas perform security functions standing on the look
out (Shukher – literally: danger). It is a temporary position and an individual either making it into
the Vor-world or being cast aside. As they are earning their respect and trust in Bratva they may
be performing roles of the regular Boyeviks or Byki depending on the necessities and patronage
of their Brigadier or Avtorityet. Etymology of 'shestyorka' word comes from the lowest rank of 36
playing card deck – sixes.

In the Russian Mafia, "Vor" (plural: Vory) (literally, "Thief") is an honorary title denoting a made man.
The honor of becoming a Vor is only given when the recruit shows considerable leadership skills,
personal ability, intellect and charisma. A Pakhan or another high-ranking member of an
organization can decide if the recruit will receive such title. When you become a member of the Vor-
world you have to accept the code of the Vor v Zakone ("Thief within the Law").[44][45]
Although Russian criminal groups vary in their structure, there have been attempts to devise a model
of how they work. One such model (possibly outdated by now, as it is based on the old style of
Soviet criminal enterprises) works out like this:

1. Elite group – led by a Pakhan who is involved in management, organization and ideology.
This is the highest group controls both support group and security group.
2. Security group – is led by one of his spies. His job is to make sure the organization keeps
running and also keeps the peace between the organizations and other criminal groups and
also paying off the right people. This group works with the Elite group and is equal in power
with the Support groups. Is in charge of security and in intelligence.
3. Support group – is led by one of his spies. His job is to watch over the working unit collecting
the money while supervising their criminal activities. This group works with the elite group
and is equal in power with the Security group. They plan a specific crime for a specialized
group or choose who carries out the operation.
4. Working Unit – There are four Brigadiers running a criminal activity in the working unit. Each
Brigade is controlled by a Brigadier. This is the lowest group working with only the Support
group. The group is involved in burglars, thieves, prostitution, extortion, street gangs and
other crimes.
Pakhan - is the Boss or Krestnii Otets "Godfather" and controls everything.
The Pakhan controls four criminal cells in the working unit through an
intermediary called a "Brigadier."
Sovietnik - ("Councilor"), is the advisor and most close trusted individual to
the Pakhan, similar to the Consigliere in Italian-American Mafia crime
families and Sicilian Mafia clans.
Kassir or Kaznachey - the bookmaker, collects all money from Brigadiers
and bribes the government to Obshchak (money mafia intended for use in the
interests of the group), similar to the underboss position in Italian-American
Mafia crime families.
Brigadier - or Avtoritet ("Authority"), is like a captain in charge of a small
group of men, similar to Caporegime in Italian-American Mafia crime
families and Sicilian Mafia clans. He gives out jobs to Boeviks ("warriors")
and pays tribute to Pakhan. He runs a crew which is called a Brigade
(Bratva). A Brigade is made up of 5–6 Boyeviks and Shestyorkas. There
are four Brigadiers running criminal activity in the Russian Bratva.
Boevik - literally "warrior" works for a Brigadier having a special criminal
activity to run, similar to soldiers in Italian-American Mafia crime families
and Sicilian Mafia clans. A Boevik is in charge of finding new guys and
paying tribute up to his Brigadier. Boevik is also the main strike force of a
brigade (bratva).
Krysha - literally "roofs", "covers". Those are an extremely violent
"enforcers" as well as cunning individuals. Such enforcer is often employed
to protect a business from other criminal organizations. Torpedo - "Contract
killer"
Byki - bodyguards (literally: bulls)
Shestyorka - is an "associate" to the organization also called the "six", similar
to associates in Italian-American Mafia crime families and Sicilian Mafia
clans. Is an errand boy for the organization and is the lowest rank in the
Russian Mafia. The sixes are assigned to some Avtorityets for support. They
also provide an intelligence for the upcoming "dielo" or on a certain target.
They usually stay out of the main actions, although there might be
exceptions, depending on circumstances. During a "delo" Shestyorkas
perform security functions standing on the look out (Shukher - literally:
danger). It is a temporary position and an individual either making it into the
Vor-world or being cast aside. As they are earning their respect and trust in
Bratva they may be performing roles of the regular Boyeviks or Byki
depending on the necessities and patronage of their Brigadier or Avtorityet.
Etymology of 'shestyorka' word comes from the lowest rank of 36 playing
card deck - sixes.

In the Russian Mafia to become a "Vor" (plural: Vory) (a Thief) is an

honorary title denoting a made man. The honor of becoming a Vor is only
given when the recruit shows considerable leadership skills, personal ability,
intellect and charisma. A Pakhan or another high-ranking member of an
organization can decide if the recruit will receive such title. When you
become a member amongst the Vor-world you have to accept the code Vor v
Zakone or Thief inside the Law (compare to outlaws).
Although most Russian criminal groups vary in their structure, there have
been attempts at trying to figure out a model in how they work. One such
model, which could be possibly out-dated structure, as it is based on the old
style of Soviet criminal enterprises, works out like the following:
Elite group - led by a Pakhan who is involved in management, organization
and ideology. This is the highest group controls both support group and
security group.
Security group - is led by one of his spies. His job is to make sure the
organization keeps running and also keeps the peace between the
organizations and other criminal groups and also paying off the right people.
This group works with the Elite group and is equal in power with the Support
groups. Is in charge of security and in intelligence.
Support group - is led by one of his spies. His job is to watch over the
working unit collecting the money while supervising their criminal activities.
This group works with the elite group and is equal in power with the Security
group. They plan a specific crime for a specialized group or choose who
carries out the operation.
Working Unit - There are four Brigadiers running a criminal activity in the
working unit. Each Brigade is controlled by a Brigadier. This is the lowest
group working with only the Support group.

Criminal Human trafficking, Racketeering, drug

activities trafficking, extortion, murder, robbery, smuggling, arms

trafficking, gambling, fencing, pornography and fraud

CRIMINAL ACT OF RUSSIAN MAFIA

On 7 June 2017, 33 Russian mafia affiliates and members were arrested and charged by the FBI,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and NYPD for extortion, racketeering, illegal gambling, firearm
offenses, narcotics trafficking, wire fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, fraud on casino slot
machines using electronic hacking devices; based in Atlantic City and Philadelphia, murder-for-hire
conspiracy and cigarette trafficking.[35] They were also accused of operating secret and underground
gambling dens based in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, and using violence to those who owed gambling
debts, establishing nightclubs in order to sell drugs, plotting to force women associates to rob male
strangers by seducing and drugging them with chloroform, and trafficking over 10,000 pounds of
stolen chocolate confectionery; the chocolate was stolen from shipment containers.[36][37] It is believed
that 27 of the arrested are connected to the Russian mafia Shulaya clan which are largely based in
New York.[38] According to the prosecution, the Shulaya also has operations in New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Florida and Nevada. According to law enforcement and the prosecution, this is one of
the first federal arrests against a Russian mafia boss and his underboss or co-leader.

The history of the Russian (or Red) mafia traces all the way back to the times of the tsar, when it was an act of
rich to feed the poor. However, little remains of that “Robin-Hood” like time. Following the collapse of the So
smugglers infected almost every Government institution, traveling abroad in order to establish one of the five m
organizations in the world today.
Here are five of the crimes that the Russian mob specializes in; a glimpse at what makes them so widely known
world.

1. Kidnapping

Ever since the Red Mafia’s birth, kidnapping has been its leading source of income and intimidation. One of the m
kidnapping of Canadian entrepreneur Dough Steele, who also had to pay millions of dollars to protect his Mosc
Duck. The mob has even attempted to kidnap Madonna while she was touring Russia in 2006!
2. Banking Fraud

Unlike other criminal organizations, the Russian mafia boasts some of the world’s most talented, educated felo
PhD and Master’s degree programs, the organization has been able to commit the biggest banking frauds in history
like Citibank and HSBC. In 2010, computer hackers linked to the Russian mafia stole £6 million from the Royal B
thousands of cloned credit and debit cards and an army of thieves, the mob regularly steals from more than 250
Europe.
3. Weapons smuggling
After the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the ex-Soviet nations, including Russia, were
surplus of armaments in military storage. From machine guns to nuclear weapons, the Russian mob has taken to se
black market. The CIA and FBI have drawn connections between these formerly Soviet weapons caches to the arm
the middle east, all provided by the mob. The movie Lord of War, starring Nicholas Cage, illustrated this epidemic
still persists all over the world.
4. Human trafficking
A revealing investigation by The Sunday Mirror exposed a terrifying network of sex slaves and
human trafficking. The article revealed that teenage girls from all over the world were being
kidnapped and smuggled to European countries by the Red Mafia. These girls were kept in
deplorable conditions before being sold like cattle for £3,000. The buyers were brothels who kept
the girls as prisoners and forced them to serve as sex slaves.
5. Drugs trafficking
Taking advantage of the territory gained in the US, many Russian mafia made contact with South
American drug cartels in order to smuggle cocaine into Europe. One of the most chilling cases was
the partnership between the Russian mobster Ludwing “Tarzan” Fainberg and the Colombian drug
Lord Juan Olmeda. Together they used ex-military submarines to send drugs all over Europe in
exchange for rockets and other weapons.
EFFECT OF RUSSIAN MAFIA IN THEIR COUNTRY

According to a report by Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs , the number one threat to Russia's
economy is corruption within the government. This report placed the total for bribes and other
illegal income received by government officials at $100 billion in 1993 and 1994. Prior to the
breakup of the Soviet Union, the KGB was a powerful agency within the security/investigation
department of the Soviet government. Corrupt officials and corrupt practices were considered
synonymous with the KGB. The KGB no longer officially existed after the Soviet Union
breakup, but a large portion of its officials found subsequent positions within current Russian
government or high-level positions in non-government employment. While employment titles
may have changed for these individuals, the corrupt acts in which they engage remain the same.
If a country truly wants to end the Mafia and corruption, it would seem necessary that the
rallying cry must come from the top down….the president. It is stated that President Yeltsin is
selective when it comes to fighting corruption and the Mafia; that corruption is tolerated when
beneficial and dealt with when it creates problems for him. People often learn and emulate the
actions of those above them, and if corruption is seen occurring at the highest in command there
is little to wonder why it exists in all facets of the governmental structure.

Does the Russian Mafia and corruption affect the United States? The answer is a resounding yes.
The exporting of products and natural resources is a highly lucrative practice and, therefore, the
Russian Mafia and corrupt officials are involved. Direct involvement, whether knowingly or not,
commonly occurs when American businessmen and corporations form partnerships with Russian
companies. The major corporations, and especially global corporations, in Russia routinely have
Russian Mafia ties or corrupt officials within its' ranks. The formation of the relationships
between U.S. and Russian businesses enables the Mafia further access to the United States and
the rest of the world. The threat of the Russian Mafia is not limited to the business community.
As previously noted, the Russian government continues to be besieged with corruption. How
does the U.S. government and military officials know when they are dealing with corrupt
officials? When information is exchanged between the U.S. and Russia, where did the
information come from (is it accurate information) and where will it end up? The feeling that
becomes overwhelming when considering the Russian Mafia and governmental corruption is that
everything seems tainted.; that there is always a question lingering about the motives involved in
any action.

In summary, what does the future hold for a country where criminal organizations and corrupt
government officials occupy the highest levels of the government and control or influence top
corporations? In the United States, the public has responded to Mafia crimes by calling for the
government to enforce the laws to protect the citizens and country. In Russia, it's obvious that
government can not be called upon because they are chief contributors to the Mafia and
corruption. As far as laws to protect Russian citizens and country, if they do exist, enforcement
of them is selective at best. Over the past 20 years or so, the term "superpower" was often used to
describe Russia. Today, this term is still used, but as noted by one top Russian official it is a
"superpower of crime." This is a title that does not bode well for the future.

The Russian Mafiya is distinctively menacing in light of its close connections with key sections
of the government bureaucracy.[91] While it is true that as the Communist Party faded from
power, more conventional organized criminal structures emerged, these connections persist.[92]
It is estimated that the Russian criminal world spends fifty percent of its income on bribes to
Government officials alone.[93] Nor is it unusual for underpaid Russian Government employees
to seek out criminal groups to offer their services.[94]

DIFFERENT MAFIAN IN RUSSIA

Notable individual groups[edit]

Groups based in and around the City of Moscow:

 Solntsevskaya Bratva: Led by Sergei "Mikhas" Mikhailov, it is Russia's largest criminal group
with about 5,000 members, and is named after the Solntsevo District.[46][47]
 Rodina (Motherland): Moscow based crime syndicate with international influences, millionaire
Natasha Suvorova was accused of being an important member in a 2015 trial.
 Lyuberetskaya Bratva (Russian: Люберецкая Братва) or Lyubery (Russian: Люберы): One of
the largest criminal groups in late 1980s – early-mid-1990s in the USSR. Based in (and
originating from) Lyubertsy district of Moscow.
 The Izmaylovskaya gang: One of Russia's oldest modern gangs, it was started in the mid- to
late-1980s by Oleg Ivanov; it has around 200–500 members in Moscow alone, and is named
after the Izmaylovo District.[48]
 The Orekhovskaya gang: Founded by Sergei "Sylvester" Timofeyev, this group reached its
height in Moscow in the 1990s. When Timofeyev died, Sergei Butorin took his place. However,
he was sentenced to jail for life in 2011.[49][50]

Groups based in other parts of Russia and the former Soviet Union:

 The Dolgoprudnenskaya gang: Russia's second largest criminal group.[47] Originally from the City
of Dolgoprudny.
 The Grekov Gang: Named after Grecoff Bradlik, this group has been known to dominate Saint
Petersburg and has branches in Montreal, Canada; the man most associated with them is
Vladimir Kumarin.[48]
 The Slonovskaya gang was one of the strongest criminal groups in CIS in the 1990s. It was
based in Ryazan. It had a long-term war with other criminal groups of the city
(Ayrapetovskaya, Kochetkovskie, etc.)
 The Uralmash gang of Yekaterinburg.
 The Chechen mafia is one of the largest ethnic organized crime groups operating in the former
Soviet Union next to established Russian mafia groups.
 The Georgian mafia is regarded as one of the biggest, powerful and influential criminal networks
in Europe, which has produced the biggest number of "thieves in law" in all former USSR
countries.
 The Mkhedrioni was a paramilitary group involved in organised crime[citation needed] led by a Thief in
law Jaba Ioseliani in Georgia in the 1990s.
 The city of Kazan was known for its gang culture, which later progressed into more organised,
mafia-esque groups. This was known as the Kazan phenomenon.

Groups based in and around The United States of America:

 The Odessa Mafia: The most prominent and dominant Russian criminal group operating in the
US; its headquarters is in Brighton Beach.[3][4]
 Armenian Power, or AP-13, is a California-based crime syndicate tied to Russian and Armenian
organised crime.

Groups based in other areas:

 The Brothers' Circle: Headed by Temuri Mirzoyev, this multi-ethnic transnational group is
"composed of leaders and senior members of several Eurasian criminal groups largely based in
countries of the former Soviet Union but operating in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin
America."[51] In 2011, US President Barack Obama and his administration named it one of four
transnational organized crime groups that posed the greatest threat to US national security, and
sanctioned certain key members and froze their assets.[52][53] A year later, he extended the
national emergency against them for another year.[54]
 The Semion Mogilevich organization: Based in Budapest, Hungary and headed by the crime
boss of the same name, this group numbered approximately 250 members as of 1996. Its
business is often connected with that of the Solntsevskaya Bratva and the Vyacheslav Ivankov
Organization. Aleksey Anatolyevich Lugovkov is the second-in-command, and Vitaly Borisovich
Savalovsky is the "underboss" to Mogilevich.[55]
 Order of Ronova: An organization with ties to Russian and Italian organized crime, based
throughout Salt Lake City, Utah, Carson City, Nevada, Tacoma, Washington, and Phoenix,
Arizona. It has an estimate of 100 made members, and 400 associates.
 Gradinaru Bratva: A family started in Cleveland, Ohio, it is also known as Оргаруже, which
stands for Organized Russian Gentlemen. Founded by the Michalov family and are usually hard
to spot, these gentlemen are fierce and have their own hierarchy consisting of three leaders, one
of which–Alexander Michalov–was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2006.