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Is Russia a Mafia State?

REPORTS - 29 day ago

People's Opinions & Thoughts About Russia

South Eye | Shared by Vorobyov & Mahoney

Russia's transformation into a mafia-controlled state has been a long process, deeply rooted in its historical and political evolution. The merging of organized crime and state power did not begin with Vladimir Putin, but his rise to power and governance exemplifies the institutionalization of this relationship. This system blurs the lines between state authority and criminal enterprise, creating a regime where both serve mutual interests and operate as one entity.

Historical Foundations of Crime-State Integration

The Bolsheviks, in their pursuit of power during the early 20th century, relied heavily on criminal networks to achieve their goals. Criminals were recruited for acts like bank robberies, assassinations. Figures like Joseph Stalin himself began their political careers with criminal activities. This pragmatic alliance set a precedent for the intertwining of crime and state power in Russia.

After the Bolsheviks seized control, many of these criminals were absorbed into the Red Guard and later other Soviet institutions. During Stalin’s era, the "red thieves" emerged as a class of criminals willing to align with the state, leading to the assassination of those who resisted collaboration. Over time, the criminal underworld became embedded in Soviet society, thriving in areas like the black market, illegal factories, and gambling, particularly as state corruption became normalized in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Turbulence of the 1990s

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 unleashed a chaotic power vacuum. Organized crime flourished as state institutions crumbled. Former Communist Party officials, KGB agents, and criminal groups scrambled to seize assets and consolidate power. These factions merged, creating a hybrid system where it became impossible to distinguish between political elites and criminal bosses.

The "bratva" (Russian mafia) of the 1990s operated openly, with violence and corruption becoming the norm. Key industries, particularly energy, were effectively controlled by criminal enterprises. Political influence was bought and sold, with organized crime groups serving as enforcers for politicians, and vice versa.

Putin's Role in the 1990s

During this chaotic period, Vladimir Putin emerged as a central figure in St. Petersburg, a city notorious for its criminal underworld. Initially, Putin was a low-ranking KGB officer with limited prospects. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he found a role as a deputy to the city's mayor, Anatoly Sobchak, acting as a "fixer."

Putin’s job was to manage shadowy deals, many of which involved organized crime. He reportedly worked closely with the Tambov criminal group, whose leaders were linked to his Judo club friends. This group controlled lucrative businesses like the St. Petersburg seaport and customs, appointments allegedly facilitated by Putin.

In 1992, Marina Salier, a city council member, accused Putin of embezzling humanitarian aid funds meant for St. Petersburg. She documented grand corruption involving foreign credits and illegal dealings with mafia groups. Although these accusations did not lead to official charges, Salier’s evidence painted a picture of Putin as deeply entangled with criminal networks. Salier’s subsequent silence and mysterious death in 2012 have fueled speculation about the lengths to which Putin’s associates would go to protect him.

But, when Putin became president in 2000, he brought the lessons and networks of the 1990s into the Kremlin. Under his rule, the Russian state has transformed into a criminal enterprise masquerading as a government. Organized crime groups have been absorbed into the system, serving as tools for state power. Conversely, state resources and institutions have been weaponized for the benefit of criminal elites.

State-controlled industries, particularly in energy, have become conduits for money laundering and illicit wealth accumulation. Political opponents and dissenters are silenced through assassinations, poisonings, and imprisonment, tactics reminiscent of mafia operations. The use of nerve agents like Novichok in high-profile cases further demonstrates the state’s reliance on methods indistinguishable from organized crime.

A State-Mafia Symbiosis

Russia today operates as a hybrid system where the state and mafia are inseparable. The Kremlin employs criminal networks to carry out tasks such as election interference, assassinations abroad, and cyberattacks. In return, these groups enjoy protection and access to state resources.

The state’s symbiotic relationship with organized crime extends beyond Russia’s borders. Russian criminal networks have been instrumental in financing the Kremlin’s geopolitical objectives, including the destabilization of neighboring countries and meddling in Western democracies. This global reach highlights the dangers of a mafia state on the world stage.

Russia’s evolution into a mafia-controlled state under Putin reflects decades of corruption, criminal integration, and authoritarian governance. This system thrives on a foundation of mutual dependence between political elites and organized crime.

The question of whether this system can ever be dismantled is complex. As long as Putin and his allies maintain power, the mafia-state dynamic will likely persist. A true transformation would require not only the removal of Putin but also a systemic overhaul of the political and economic structures that have enabled the rise of this criminal regime. Until then, Russia will remain a cautionary tale of how organized crime, when merged with state power, can undermine democracy and international stability.

Written by (Vorobyov)

The trajectory of modern Russia has been one of missed opportunities and repeated betrayals of freedom, a pattern that has defined its history over the last century. While neighboring Ukraine has made a resolute choice for liberty and democracy, Russia has consistently fallen back into authoritarianism, choosing the path of dictatorship over the promise of progress. This divergence between the two nations underscores a critical question for the world: can Russia ever break free from its cycles of repression and emerge as a democratic and responsible member of the global community?

In the early 20th century, Russia stood at a crossroads. The collapse of the tsarist regime created a fleeting opportunity for democracy, but the Bolsheviks swiftly seized power, plunging the country into decades of totalitarian rule. The Russian people, whether through indifference or fear, largely acquiesced. Stalinism solidified a culture of authoritarianism, mass repression, and blind obedience to leaders, crushing any semblance of freedom.

A second chance came at the end of the 20th century. Perestroika and glasnost offered hope for a democratic Russia, and for a brief moment, it seemed possible. The fall of the Soviet Union was celebrated as a victory for freedom, and the world hoped that Russia would join the community of free nations. Yet, this optimism proved premature. By the early 21st century, the promise of democracy had been squandered. Russians, in their majority, once again embraced authoritarianism, enabling Vladimir Putin to consolidate power and transform the country into a mafia state.

Under Putin, Russia became a global pariah, mixing elements of nationalism, kleptocracy, and fascism. Dissent was crushed, free speech obliterated, and the media turned into a propaganda machine. The state became a tool for enriching the elite. Internationally, Russia became a destabilizing force, launching wars, annexing territories, and interfering in democratic processes around the globe.

The ongoing invasion of Ukraine is the culmination of Russia’s descent into tyranny. This war is not only an attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty but also on the very principles of freedom and self-determination. Ukraine’s courage in defending itself has exposed Russia’s moral and strategic failings. The once-feared Russian military has been revealed as corrupt and inept, propped up by propaganda rather than genuine strength. Ukrainian resistance has shown the world that freedom is worth fighting for, even against overwhelming odds.

When Ukraine emerges victorious—and it will—the world will face a critical question: what to do about Russia? Can the country that has so consistently chosen dictatorship over freedom finally transform? Skepticism is warranted. Why should the world believe that a nation that has repeatedly betrayed democratic ideals will suddenly embrace them now?

Perhaps the harsh truth is that Russia’s transformation can only begin through total defeat and isolation. Only by experiencing the consequences of its actions—economic collapse, technological regression, and international ostracism—can the Russian people begin to understand the costs of their choices. The collapse of the current regime, and perhaps the disintegration of the Russian Federation itself, might be necessary steps toward building a new political order. Regions that choose democracy and rule of law can emerge from the ruins to chart a new course, while the remnants of Putin’s state will serve as a cautionary tale for the world.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is firmly on the path to becoming an integral part of Europe. Its resilience and commitment to democratic values have demonstrated that it belongs in the European Union and the broader family of free nations. Ukraine has proven itself as a beacon of hope, showing that even in the face of aggression, liberty can triumph.

The lesson from this chapter in history is clear: freedom is not inevitable; it must be fought for and defended. Ukraine has made its choice, and the world must stand with it. As for Russia, the path to redemption lies only through a reckoning with its past and a complete dismantling of the structures of tyranny that have defined it for over a century. Until then, the world must remain vigilant, ensuring that Russia’s aggression is met with steadfast resistance and that its return to global respectability is earned, not assumed.