Organized Crime and Infiltration in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States: The Militarized Underworld and the Rise of a New Security Frontier

This study examines the transformation of organized crime in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States following the collapse of the Soviet Union, with particular attention to the integration of former military and security personnel into criminal structures. The work analyzes how the erosion of state institutions and control mechanisms contributed to the rapid professionalization and militarization of criminal organizations across the post-Soviet space. The study traces the evolution of criminal groups from loosely structured networks into disciplined formations capable of surveillance, countersurveillance, territorial control, and internal enforcement. Special focus is placed on the role of former airborne, reconnaissance, border, special-purpose, and intelligence personnel in shaping the operational doctrines of these organizations. The book further examines the response of state security agencies, emphasizing infiltration as a primary method of countering militarized criminal structures. Through an institutional and analytical approach, the study explores the long-term implications of the convergence between organized crime and professional military skills for national security, governance, and state authority in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.