ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

**Russian Mafia**
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The Russian mafia, also known as bratva (братва), Brotherhood, or Russkaja mafija, refers to various organized crime groups originating from the territory of the former Soviet Union. After its dissolution, these groups spread internationally.

**History and Emergence**

The existence of a mafia on the territory of the USSR was first confirmed in July 1988 by militia colonel Aleksandr Ivanovich Gurov in an interview. This revelation was significant, as until then, the authorities had denied the existence of organized crime due to ideological requirements imposed by the all-dominating CPSU.

**Structure and Organization**

Unlike the Sicilian mafia, the Russian mafia does not have a vertical structure that coordinates its activities. Instead, it is divided into several more or less powerful groups operating on local bases. These groups can easily expand their influence to entire provinces or even republics.

Each organization has a sponsor at the top, who controls a deputy known as the First Faithful (also referred to as the Brigadier). The First Faithful is closely monitored and controlled to prevent them from becoming too powerful and posing a direct threat to the sponsor.

**Growth and Expansion**

According to the Russian Interior Ministry, the number of mafia groups increased significantly between 1990 and 1996. In 1990, there were approximately 785 mafia groups, while by 1996, this number had risen to over 8,000. The estimated number of active mafia members ranges from 120,000 to 3 million, depending on the source.

**International Presence**

The Russian mafia has spread internationally, with its influence extending beyond the former Soviet Union. Its activities have been reported in various countries, including those in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Note: I've kept the original text's tone and style as much as possible while ensuring that the merged article is coherent and easy to read.