The Ryazan Shootout: Bloody Gang War Between the “Slon” and “Vitya Ryazansky” Crime Groups

The Bloody Showdown in Ryazan: When the “Slon” and “Ryazansky” Gangs Went to War

 The brutal Ryazan massacre traces its roots to the early 1990s, when two powerful criminal groups began their bloody feud.
 The first gang, founded in 1991 by Nikolai Maksimov (nicknamed “Maks”), a former driver for the deputy prosecutor, and Nikolai Yermolov (“Slon”), a taxi driver, quickly established dominance in the city’s underworld. Slon recruited his men from a local orphanage, training the strong ones in gyms and sending the weaker ones to work as shell-game hustlers.
 Their business went far beyond street scams: they dealt in car fraud, racketeering, black-market “avizo” money schemes (which brought them nearly 900 million rubles), and even launched their own financial pyramid. Those who resisted were eliminated. The gang buried bodies right on the city beach.
 Meanwhile, another group operated in the same territory — led by Viktor Ayrapetov (“Vitya Ryazansky”), a former boxer. Both gangs fought for control over the same rackets, and their first major clash came in 1993, when they failed to divide a local firm.
 Slon never forgave the insult. A few months later, his men attacked Ayrapetov’s crew while they were relaxing in a bathhouse. Many of Vitya’s men were crippled for life, but the boss himself wasn’t there — and the hunt continued.

The Night of the Massacre

 On November 25, 1993, Slon’s scouts reported that Ayrapetov planned to visit the popular Ryazselmash Club. This time, Slon decided not to fight — but to eliminate his rival once and for all. He sent five armed killers to the club.
 At around 11:00 p.m., they entered the packed hall. Ayrapetov and his men were seated at a table with a full view of the entrance — a detail that ultimately saved his life. When the gunmen opened fire, the boss managed to dive for cover. The rest weren’t so lucky: eight of his men were killed, and nine others seriously wounded.
 Bullets flew across the dance floor; guests screamed and hid behind overturned tables. Amid the chaos, the killers emptied their magazines and escaped without resistance.
 One stray bullet hit a young woman who happened to be standing near the gangsters’ table. Only the quick actions of terrified witnesses and doctors prevented an even greater tragedy.

The Blood Feud

 Slon’s side didn’t escape unscathed — one of his shooters was wounded and fell, dropping his rifle. The others dragged him away but, fearing he might talk, executed him and dumped the body in a sewer shaft.
 Despite Ayrapetov’s testimony and clear evidence, the police never managed to bring charges against Slon or his men. Understanding that justice wouldn’t come through the law, Vitya Ryazansky decided to take revenge himself.
 He vanished to Moscow, pretending to flee. Believing they’d won, Slon and Maksimov relaxed and claimed Ryazan as their own. Maksimov paid dearly for his arrogance: in March 1994, he was shot dead at the home of his mistress. Four bullets hit his head, one his heart.
 Ayrapetov’s brother Sergey was killed soon after, followed by his lieutenant Alexander Milidin (nicknamed “Koka”). The revenge cycle spun out of control.

 Finally, in November 1995, Vitya Ryazansky himself disappeared. His mutilated body was later found near Lyubertsy — though rumors persist that he faked his death and fled abroad.

 Slon didn’t last long either. When law enforcement began cracking down, he vanished. He was placed on an international wanted list, but his whereabouts remain unknown.

 On January 13, 2000, 22 members of the “Slonovskaya” gang were convicted, receiving prison sentences of up to 15 years.