Russian Mafia Tattoos

Funny Russian Mafia Tattoos Video

admin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:00:58 +0000

Here is a funny video I found. It’s a clever animation of Russian Mafia Tattoos and different phrases often found with these tattoos. Then there’s some picture at the end of some dude, and it looks like he has the tattoo on his shoulder. I’m not sure if it’s the exact same one as the animation, but it looks close nevertheless. More Russian Mafia Tattoos…

Russian Mafia Tattoos - Mark of Cain Clip

admin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:00:49 +0000

Here’s a clip from the acclaimed, and must see Russian Mafia Tattoos documentary by Alix Lambert titled The Mark of Cain. In this clip you will see and hear stories from inmates who discuss the importance of their tattoos and how you can tell a certain thing about another person by the quality of their tattoos. More Russian Mafia Tattoos…

Russian Mafia In America

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:00:19 +0000

After communism was destroyed, there was an economic and social void - this was obviously a perfect opportunity for the already established Russian Mafia to step in and take over by providing jobs and a means of income for all the young men in Moscow, Kiev, and Saint Petersburg who were severely impacted by the fall of the Soviet Union. More so, joining the mob became an easy way of getting cash for many ex-KGB vets from the Afghan War who came home to a communist free Russia.

In the late 1980’s the Russian Mafia started to stretch it’s grip out towards Europe and America, with notable communities and operations set up in Israel, Paris, London, the infamous Brighton Beach in Brooklyn (which most people think of when they refer to the Russian Mafia in America) , along with areas of New Jersey, Philadelphia, California and Florida, Louis Freeh, head of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said recently the Russian mafia was the greatest threat to US national security although he later withdrew this comment (I wonder why?)

“Italian organized crime in America is a pimple on a horse’s ass compared with Russian organized crime in America—and globally,” says Robert I. Friedman, author of a new book on the Russian Mafia.

More Russian Mafia Tattoos…

Russian Mafia - Organized Crime Part 2

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:00:15 +0000

Here is part two to the Russian Mafia documentary that was aired on the History channel. It talks about Vladimir Lenin, and how he responded to the emergence of the “thieves world” in the early 1900’s and tried to combat with the growing Russian criminal worlds, as well as and an interview with a former Soviet prison guard who explains the importance and meaning behind Russian Mafia Tattoos. More Russian Mafia Tattoos…

Russian Mafia Bosses

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:00:05 +0000

The Russian Mafia has been around as long as the Soviet Union has been dismembered - some even argue before it’s demise. Supposedly one of the most powerful criminal organizations in modern history, the Russian Mafia has always been based on a strict code of dignity, respect, and honor. Even though Russian Mafia Bosses may not be portrayed in Martin Scorcese movies, or on the front page of the New York Times every second month, it does not mean that they aren’t heavily feared and respected amongst the global criminal community. Below is a list of some of the better known Russian Mafia Bosses:

Vyacheslav “Yaponchik” Ivankov - One of the most powerful members of vor v zakone (thief in law) and Russian mafia in America. Ivankov Was known to have deep connections with Russian State Intelligence Organizations.
Vladimir Kumarin - A Saint Petersburg Boss of the Tambov Gang criminal organization. He is a well known businessman, former Vice President of the Petersburg Fuel Company, and is alleged to have deep ties with Vladimir Putin.
Viktor Anatolyevich Bout - Former Soviet Major for the GRU (Russian Intelligence) and major arms dealer. Nicknamed “The Merchant of Death” for privately supplying mass amounts of arms to the Taliban and African rebels during several civil wars.
Sergei Mikhailov - A Russian businessman claimed to the be the head boss of the Solntsevskaya bravta (brotherhood from Solntsevo) crime family. Not known for following the traditional vor v zakone code, but a more westernized approach consider himself to be a business man rather than a thief in law.
Movladi Atlangeriyev - Chechen mob boss and founder of the Lazanskaya crime family. Was considered to be one of the more popular crime bosses of the 1990’s and has been rumoured on several occasions to have cooperated with Russian Law and Security Services. Was kidnapped in January 2008 in Moscow and is still missing.

More Russian Mafia Tattoos…

Russian Mafia - Organized Crime Part 1

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:00:14 +0000

Here’s a great video link for part one of a Russian Mafia documentary that was aired recently on the history channel. It talks about the Russian Mafia in America, and their connections with other crime organizations.

Decoding Russian Mafia Tattoos

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:00:12 +0000

To the naked eye, one look at the Tattoos of the Russian Mafia and they appear to be nothing more than cathedrals, portraits, crosses, stars and spider webs - that’s what you’re supposed to think. Little did we know, until movies like Easter Promises hit the silver screen, that Russian Mafia Tattoos and Russian Mafia Symbols are very intricate and hold grave meaning and conviction upon the host.

It’s hard to be absolutely sure of the exact translation that some of these tattoos contain, as I’m sure things have been manipulated and adjusted throughout history, but here are some basic interpretations of common Russian Mafia Symbols:

Cathedral, Church or Monastery - Usually on the chest, shoulder, or back. Depending on the number of steeples or towers are shown on the tattoo, it translates to the number of years, or number times an individual has been incarcerated.
Stars - If there are star tattoos on the shoulders, it typically symbolizes a individuals dignity and honor and that he lives by a certain code and tradition. Star tattoos on the knee caps are usually given once a member has become promoted to Captain status, and it symbolizes that the owner of the tattoo will never be brought to his knees.
Pirate Tattoo - This means that the owner has committed armed robbery, or article 167 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Cobweb - Usually found on the shoulder. Thought this tattoo has become popular amongst suburban rebels and movie stars, in the Russian Prison system it stands for drug addiction. Not something I’d want to be boasting if I was an actor or professional athlete!

More Russian Mafia Tattoo designs…

Russian Mafia Tattoos In Hollywood

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:29:22 +0000

The most popular display of Russian Mafia Tattoos in a mainstream movie production would have to be on the body of Viggo Mortensen’s character in the David Cronenberg award winning film Eastern Promises. Cronenberg made it a point to place detailed attention on the symbolism and importance of the tattoos that prisoners and mafia members acquired.

Most people don’t know this, but before Eastern Promises there was an acclaimed documentary on Russian Mafia Tattoos released in 2000 titled The Mark of Cain, directed by Alix Lambert. This film goes into great detail to uncover the tradition, brutality, and practice of Russian Criminal Tattoos - some of the film is even shot in Russia’s fabled White Swan prison. More Russian Mafia Tattoos…

Russian Mafia Tattoos - Cathedrals And Churches

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:19:01 +0000

As you can see above, it is common to find churches, monasteries, fortresses and castles in Russian Mafia Tattoos. It’s most common to find these tattoos on the chest, back and hand region. If you look closely you will see seven towers in total on the structure tattooed on the middle of his chest. Some people translate the number of towers to the number of years, or number of times an individual has been to prison. It’s common to find the phrase “The church is the house of God” written beneath the cathedral - which is usually translated to “Prison is the home of the Thief”. More tattoo designs…

Russian Mafia Tattoos With Skulls

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:00:02 +0000

Military insignia and uniform epaulets (ornamental shoulder pieces) are seen in Russian Mafia Tattoos when symbolizing criminal accomplishments. When a skull is portrayed it is usually meant to designate a murderer. Epaulets will be decorated with various crests and symbols in the center section where you can see the skull in the image above - it’s common to find reference to an individuals criminal status prior to incarceration, especially if it was of any significance or importance. You will also see certain crests and symbols in Russian Mafia Tattoos that represent a persons time spent in solitary confinement. More tattoo designs…