: The majority of the population; non-professional criminals who follow the rules to survive but do not hold authority.
: In the post-Soviet era, elements of blatnoy culture—including slang and aesthetic standards—have significantly penetrated the general public, influencing youth subcultures and even mainstream political discourse. Contemporary Perspectives On Blatnoy
: The highest echelon; professional criminals who live by the code and do not work. : The majority of the population; non-professional criminals
: This code mandates absolute loyalty to the criminal world, the support of "brothers" in prison, and the maintenance of a secret jargon ( Fenya ). : This code mandates absolute loyalty to the
: Prisoners who openly collaborate with administration, often serving as workers or informants.
In recent years, researchers and activists have noted that prison administrations sometimes exploit these "archaic" caste systems to maintain control, using blatnoy leaders to suppress political dissidents and other specific groups of prisoners. If you'd like to dive deeper,