Exploring the history, legends, and traditions of the criminal subculture in Russian prisons.
An overview of Russian prison tattoos with deep symbolic meaning — from the Crying Muse to devils and burning stakes. These tattoos reflect betrayal, hatred of authority, vengeance, and loyalty in the criminal world.
The story of Vasya Brilliant — a Soviet thief-in-law who spent his life behind bars, defended the thieves’ code, and became a legend of the criminal underworld.
A breakdown of classic prison tattoo symbols — from card cheats and burglars to safecrackers and repeat offenders.
A concise account of the Gulag’s internal “Bitch War”: why the criminal underworld split after WWII, how violence escalated in 1947–1953, the administration’s tactics, and what this feud changed in Soviet criminal culture.
Each Russian prison tattoo carries a deeper meaning. Discover the symbolism behind the tiger’s head, the chained cross, the compass rose, and other iconic designs worn by thieves, enforcers, and rebels behind bars.
After the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, thousands of criminals from former Polish territories ended up in Soviet camps. Known as “Polish thieves,” they entered a world ruled by strict Thieves’ Law — and broke its rules. Their behavior sparked violent clashes with Russian criminals, marking a dark chapter in the history of the Gulag.
Explore the brutal reality of IK-18 “Polar Owl,” Russia’s most notorious Arctic prison for life-sentenced criminals. History, scandals, regime, and infamous inmates.
The “White Swan” is one of the most heavily guarded prisons in Russia. Known for its harsh regime and infamous inmates, it holds hundreds of life-sentenced convicts under constant surveillance.
Russian prisons are commonly divided into red, black, and more recently, green zones — each with its own unwritten rules, hierarchies, and forms of control. This article explores how these divisions affect inmates’ lives and relationships with both the authorities and each other.
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