The podcast discusses the rise of organized crime in post-WWII USSR, the short history of crime in Russia, the black market and currency speculators, and the notorious Gang of Mongol & Yaponchik. It also explores the ethnic diversity of the Russian mafia and the dominance of Middle Eastern groups in the criminal world.
The rise of organized crime in post-WWII USSR played a significant role in the country's downfall.
The black market activity of 'fatsovki' contributed to the growth of the shadow economy in the USSR.
Deep dives
The emergence of modern organized crime in the USSR and Russian Federation
The podcast episode provides an overview of the modern history of organized crime in the USSR and Russian Federation. It discusses the development of the Russian mafia and clarifies that the depiction of Russians as criminals in Western media is not entirely accurate. The umbrella term 'Russian mafia' actually encompasses a diverse range of ethnic groups. The episode explores how organized crime thrived in the Soviet Union, even during Stalin's regime, and how it played a role in the country's downfall. The first significant wave of organized crime occurred in the 1960s and was influenced by factors such as rapid urbanization and economic failures. The discussion also touches on the existence of traditional Russian criminal underworlds, known as 'thieves in law,' and the growth of the shadow economy in response to Soviet economic deficiencies.
The Shadow Economy and the Fatsovki
The podcast delves into the shadow economy in the Soviet Union, specifically focusing on the activities of the 'fatsovki' - individuals who engaged in reselling imported Western goods. The Soviet Union had limited trade in consumer goods with the West, leading to a demand for Western products among Soviet citizens. The 'fatsovki' obtained these goods through various means such as interacting with foreigners, particularly hotel staff and tour guides, or smuggling items from abroad. The episode highlights how this black market activity flourished due to the Soviet economy's inability to meet the needs of its citizens. The 'fatsovki' accumulated wealth by reselling these scarce goods at significantly higher prices, often trading with icons, caviar, and other Soviet souvenirs. It became a lucrative but illegal enterprise that contributed to the growth of the shadow economy in the USSR.
Rise of Racketeers and Ethnic Dynamics
The podcast explores the rise of racketeering in the Soviet Union, with a focus on the notorious gang led by Mongol and its relation to ethnic dynamics in organized crime. Mongol, a notorious criminal figure, introduced racketeering as a means to extract money from the wealthy citizens of the Soviet Union who engaged in illegal activities. This was a departure from the traditional criminal code, leading to tensions with established criminal organizations, particularly those representing ethnic groups from the Caucasus region. The episode points out the overrepresentation of Caucasians, such as Ahoriens, Yusids, and Georgians, in the criminal elite, despite their small population size. It also highlights the emergence of Slavic gangs and the conflicts that arose between them and the Caucasian gangs. The ethnic question played a significant role in shaping the criminal landscape and conflicts between different criminal groups.
The Rise of Youth Gangs and Regional Differences
The podcast delves into the rise of youth gangs and the regional differences in organized crime in major Soviet cities. It discusses the appearance of gangs such as the Bandit St. Petersburg, the Criminal Rostov-on-Don, and the Gangsters with Lofsk in Moscow, each with its unique structure and criminal activities. It explores the hierarchical nature of these youth gangs and highlights the tensions between the new criminal groups and the established traditional criminal organizations. The episode touches on the Khrushchev phenomenon, highlighting how each district in Moscow had its own mafia. The discussion offers insights into the changing nature of organized crime and the varying dynamics across different regions of the USSR and Russian Federation.
