The Vory: Russia's Super Mafia

Mark Galeotti presents the first English-language exploration of the infamous *vory v zakone* — the criminal brotherhood often described as the Russian mafia.
Drawing on more than two decades of research, Galeotti traces the origins of the *vory* from the harsh Soviet gulags and prison camps of the early twentieth century, where they forged a unique criminal culture and strict “thieves’ code.” Members were known for their symbolic tattoos and rigid rules that rejected paid employment, cooperation with authorities and loyalty to the state.
The book follows the evolution of the *vory* through major historical upheavals, including Stalinism, the Cold War, the Soviet-Afghan War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. It examines how this underground fraternity adapted from prison society into a powerful force within modern Russia’s criminal networks and globalized economy.
Blending history, politics and true crime, the book offers a gripping look at one of the world’s most feared and influential organized crime cultures.