Ukrainian mafia

The Ukrainian mafia (Ukrainian: Українська мафія) refers to loosely connected criminal organizations and networks originating and operating in Ukraine, involved in a wide range of illegal activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering, extortion, and corruption. Unlike traditional mafias with rigid hierarchies, these groups often operate through decentralized and fluid alliances, both within Ukraine and internationally. Their influence extends into legitimate businesses and politics, making them a powerful force in the country's economic and social landscape.

Ukrainian mafia

Українська мафія
Founded	Early 1990s
Founding location	Ukraine
Territory	Primarily in Ukraine and Europe but also active in Turkey, United States, and Israel.
Ethnicity	Predominantly Ukrainian Jews and Ukrainians
Criminal activities	Racketeering, drug trafficking, entryism, extortion, loan sharking, murder, human trafficking, sex trafficking, construction management, money laundering, robbery, bootlegging, arms trafficking, gambling, bribery, fencing, prostitution, theft, skimming, pornography and fraud
Notable members	List of members

History

Following the collapse of the former Soviet Union, there were large stockpiles of arms left in Ukraine. The rise of the Ukrainian mafia came from their participation in the illicit international arms trafficking. Between 1992 and 1998, some $32 billion in military material disappeared from military depots in Ukraine and ended up primarily in West Africa and Central Asia. At the time Ukrainian criminal organizations were also alleged to have trafficked weapons to war-torn places such as Afghanistan.^[1]

From trafficking in arms, Ukrainian crime syndicates entered into the international trade in illegal drugs, becoming a major player in the narcotics traffic from Central Asia to Central Europe. The reach of the Ukrainian criminal organizations has been reported from Central European countries such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, where they're involved in prostitution, to North American countries and Israel, where they found a significant power base following the mass immigration of Ukrainian Jews, most of whom were law-abiding citizens, but also included criminal elements intent on profiting illegally from the open borders.^[2]

In the 2000s, the Ukrainian mafia cooperated with the Neapolitan Camorra in the cigarette smuggling business. The Ukrainians would smuggle the cigarettes from Ukraine and Eastern Europe into Italy, where with the help of the Camorra it supplied the Neapolitan market.^[3][4] In recent years, the Camorra Contini clan is said to have cooperated in the same scheme with the Ukrainians.^[5]

Odesa mafia

The most infamous and well known form of Ukrainian organized crime is the so-called Odesa mafia named after the Black Sea port city of Odesa. Odesa is an infamous smugglers' haven and a key hub in post-Soviet global trafficking networks, not the least of which is moving Europe-bound Afghan heroin arriving from the Caucasus. Even in Ukraine's west, gangs are often closely involved in the lucrative trafficking of heroin, people, and counterfeit cigarettes into Europe, sometimes in cooperation with Russian mafia gangs.^[6]

Odesa traditionally had an ancient culture of banditry, dating back to the large and impoverished Jewish population. Famous writers such as Isaac Babel often wrote about the infamous exploits of Jewish gangsters, thieves and crime lords in the port city.^[7] 20th century thuggery made way for sophisticated organized crime when local crime lords began to use the city's sprawling port to their advantage. The at first locally active Odesa mafia, sometimes also called the Malina, became well known when it first branched out to New York City and later to Israel, when both countries gave the opportunity for Soviet Jews to emigrate. Many people from Odesa's Jewish population migrated abroad, among them a significant number of the city's most infamous career criminals. Although the gang was born in the city of Odesa, it has since established most of its headquarters in cities such as New York City, Miami, Tel Aviv, Antwerp and Budapest with brigades composed of former Odesan or Odesa-connected criminals active in a large number of other cities.^[8]

In the 1990s a powerful gang led by Alexander Angert, known as the Don of Odesa, Gennadiy Trukhanov, now the current mayor of Odesa, and Nickolay Fomichev established a large drug and arms trafficking scheme, after they made money in the oil industry. The gang branched out into Europe, using Italy as a base of their operations.^[9] According to the authorities, the notorious arms dealer Leonid Minin was also involved in the scheme.^[10]

In the United States the Odesa mafia is based in the Brighton Beach district of Brooklyn, New York. It is regarded as the most powerful post-Soviet criminal organization in the United States and has since expanded its operations to Miami, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area, where it has established connections with local Armenian and Israeli crime figures. It's known for being a very secretive organization and is involved in protection rackets, loan-sharking, murder-for-hire, narcotics trafficking, as well as the infamous fuel tax fraud rackets.^[11] Nonetheless a large amount of Odesa mafia-connected gangsters have become part of the US' criminal folklore, examples being Marat Balagula, Evsei Agron and Boris Nayfeld. Feuds, often resulting in extreme violence, happened in the 1980s and 1990s between Odesa gangsters such as the internal war between Balagula and Agron at first, and later on between the Nayfeld brothers and Monya Elson.^[12]

“Amber mafia”

Main article: Amber Mafia

In the amber-rich region of northwestern Ukraine, particularly around the village of Klesiv, a vast illegal mining industry has flourished, operating largely outside of state control and generating hundreds of millions of euros annually. Despite the high demand for amber in international markets, including China and the Middle East, the trade is dominated by a network of illegal miners, smugglers, corrupt officials, and armed groups, collectively known as Ukraine’s “amber mafia.” While only a few companies possess legal extraction rights, the majority of mining takes place informally, often with devastating environmental consequences, such as the destruction of thousands of hectares of forest. Law enforcement efforts have been largely ineffective, with allegations that police, security services, and even prosecutors are complicit in protecting and profiting from the trade. Local miners, many of whom turn to amber extraction out of economic desperation, earn modest wages but often face extortion and violence. Although there is growing recognition that legalization and proper regulation could reduce corruption and support the local economy, a draft law remains stalled in parliament. In the absence of reform, the region remains mired in lawlessness, described by locals as the “People’s Republic of Amber,” where state authority is weak and criminal networks thrive unchecked.^[13][14]

Current status

Since Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, long-standing transnational criminal networks between the two countries have been significantly disrupted. These networks, which emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union, were among the most entrenched in Europe, facilitating the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people from Russia through Ukraine to Western Europe. The outbreak of war imposed both physical and psychological barriers on these operations. Frontlines, checkpoints, and widespread destruction fueled strong nationalistic sentiments within Ukraine, even among elements of the criminal underworld. As a result, many Ukrainian criminal actors reportedly severed ties with their Russian counterparts, with some redirecting resources toward charitable efforts or Ukraine’s war effort.^[15][16][17]

Ukrainian security services have, at times, sought cooperation from local criminal groups to provide intelligence on Russian activity, although not all elements complied. Some criminal groups that collaborated with the enemy have been dismantled by Ukrainian authorities, particularly in strategic cities like Odesa. Despite these disruptions, the networks have not been entirely dismantled. According to experts and Europol, cooperation between Russian and Ukrainian organized crime groups continues beyond Ukrainian borders, especially in regions like Central Asia and the Gulf states. Criminal organizations are described as highly adaptable and profit-driven, often shifting routes and methods to maintain operations regardless of geopolitical shifts. The war has changed the dynamics of organized crime in the region, creating both fragmentation and opportunities for restructuring. However, the underlying criminal activity persists, reconfigured rather than eliminated by the conflict.^[15][16]

Despite being under frequent attack during Russia’s invasion, the port city of Odesa has become a hub for organized crime, taking advantage of relative stability and economic activity. Criminal networks operate under a “free city” model, enabling activities such as scam call centers, synthetic drug production, draft evasion, and large-scale tax fraud linked to the grain export sector. Reports reveals a growing overlap between legitimate business and criminal enterprise, with cash-based transactions and shell companies helping divert an estimated $3 billion from state revenues. Some elements of local volunteer units have also contributed to the revival of Odesa’s vice economy, even under wartime curfews. As Ukraine plans reconstruction, there is growing concern that Odesa could become a blueprint for criminal capture of public funds. Without strong oversight, billions in aid for rebuilding may be vulnerable to corruption and misappropriation.^[18]

In the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, authorities have dismantled a major drug trafficking operation involving 16 members of the criminal organization known as the "White Brotherhood." The group is accused of producing and distributing methamphetamine, cannabis, and PVP, with estimated monthly profits exceeding 12 million UAH (approximately 35,000 doses sold monthly). The operation was allegedly led by a 50-year-old criminal figure who coordinated activities across the cities of Nikopol and Pokrovsk, recruiting at least 15 individuals. The drugs were stored in concealed locations and distributed either in person or through drop-off methods for cash payments. During nearly 60 coordinated searches, law enforcement seized narcotics, vehicles, firearms, and significant amounts of cash. Eleven members have been detained, and all 16 have been formally charged with offenses related to organized crime, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of narcotics and weapons.^[19]

In July 2025, Polish police have dismantled a violent Ukrainian criminal group accused of kidnapping African migrants in Poland and Latvia for ransom. The gang reportedly subjected victims to physical abuse, threats of murder, and claims of organ trafficking to coerce payments from their families. The investigation began after two Ethiopian men escaped captivity in western Poland on June 14. A subsequent incident occurred in Latvia on June 24, where three Malian men were abducted and tortured, with ransom demands sent to their relatives. Authorities believe the group exploited migrants twice, first by smuggling them into Western Europe, then by kidnapping them for additional profit. A coordinated international effort led to the arrest of four suspects, three of whom remain in custody facing charges including kidnapping for ransom, human smuggling, and membership in an organized criminal group. The fourth suspect faces non-custodial measures. The case underscores growing concerns over migrant exploitation within criminal networks operating across European borders.^[20]

Notable members

• Mishka Yaponchik (1891–1919): Was a famous Jewish-Ukrainian gangster and revolutionary figure active in Odesa during the early 20th century. Known for his charismatic leadership and flamboyant style, he led a notorious gang involved in theft, smuggling, and racketeering. Mishka Yaponchik became a legendary figure in the criminal underworld, often romanticized in folklore and popular culture.^[21]
• Akhat Bragin (1953–1995): Also known as "Alik the Greek," was a businessman and a prominent figure in the criminal underworld of Donetsk, Ukraine. He served as the president of the FC Shakhtar Donetsk and was reportedly involved in various criminal activities during the turbulent 1990s. Bragin was assassinated in 1995 in a bombing at the club’s stadium, an attack that reflected the violent rivalries between criminal factions in post-Soviet Ukraine.^[22]
• Alexander Angert: widely known as “the Angel,” is considered the dominant figure in Odesa’s organized crime scene, often described as the “don of dons.” His influence extends across numerous sectors, including oil, shipping, banking, and illicit trades such as drug and arms smuggling. Known for his secrecy, Angert holds multiple passports and has operated quietly from London in recent years. His business connections include high-profile partners like Alexander Zhukov, linking him to powerful networks spanning Europe and beyond. Angert’s control over vast criminal and legitimate enterprises has made him a central and controversial figure in both the underworld and political life of Odesa.^[23]
• Leonid Minin (born 1947): Arms dealer who gained international notoriety in the 1990s for trafficking weapons to conflict zones, particularly in West Africa. He was implicated in the illegal sale and smuggling of arms, including to regions under embargoes and involved in civil wars. Minin was arrested in Italy in 2000 and later convicted for his role in supplying arms to fighters in countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone. His activities highlighted the global networks of illicit arms trade connected to post-Soviet organized crime groups.^[24]
• Gennadiy Trukhanov (born 1965): Politician and businessman who has served as the mayor of Odesa since 2014. His tenure has been marked by controversy and allegations of corruption and ties to organized crime. Critics and some investigative reports have linked Trukhanov to criminal networks and illicit activities in the region, although he denies these accusations.^[25]

In popular culture

• The Odesa Mob, or Odesa crime family, first appeared in Detective Comics edition #742 in March 2000 and has since featured in numerous Batman titles.
• The 2000 film Brother 2 features the Ukrainian Mafia in Chicago.
• The 2003 film The Italian Job features the character Mashkov (played by Olek Krupa), a high-ranking member of a Los Angeles Ukrainian mafia family.
• The 2005 film Lord of War tells the story of Ukrainian-American arms trafficker Yuri Orlov (played by Nicolas Cage, and based on Viktor Bout).
• A Ukrainian mafia family called the Zakarov Syndicate, which started out running sweatshops before moving into the crack cocaine trade in Chicago and gaining a foothold in Hong Kong, feature as antagonists in the 2007 video game Stranglehold.
• The Whisper Gang, a Ukrainian mob group operating in Gotham City and led by Luka Volk, made its first appearance in the Batman comics in January 2012 and later featured in the Gotham TV series' third season (2016).
• The Miami branch of a Kyiv-based crime syndicate called the Koshka Brotherhood, specializing in heroin and human trafficking, feature as the main antagonists in the seventh season of the television series Dexter (2012).
• In the TV series Banshee, they were the main antagonist for the first two seasons. They were led by a crime boss named Rabbit who got the main protagonist Lucas Hood arrested for a jewel heist and had people torture him in prison since he and his daughter Anna tried to steal from him. When Lucas got out of prison, he sent his thugs after him to kill him as well as track down his daughter. After the final shootout with the Ukrainian mob, Rabbit shot himself which ended season 2.

See also

• Ukrainian oligarchs
• Corruption in Ukraine
• Human trafficking in Ukraine