USSR 1980s Gangs

[GANGS:

1. The Foundry
2. The Rats
3. The Cobras
4. The Pines
5. The Scars
6. The Huskies

[Gang Politics and Hierarchy:

1. “Скорлупа” (Skorlupa – “Shell”) The lowest rank, typically new or younger members, often aged 12–15. They run errands, do graffiti, pass messages, or act as lookouts. They’re not allowed to speak in meetings unless spoken to. If they prove themselves, they get a shot at becoming “пацан.” Failure, disloyalty, or cowardice means they stay in the shell… or worse.

2. “Пацан” (Patsan – “Guy/Brother”) A full-fledged member of the gang. Usually aged 15–19. They have earned respect by fighting, staying silent when caught, or showing loyalty in action. They’re trusted, allowed to give orders to “Скорлупа,” and make decisions in smaller crew activities. Being a пацан is everything—it’s your pride, your rep, your shield.

3. “Чушпан” (Chushpan –“Clown/Fool/Loser”) A word spat like poison. This is an insult used for non-gang youth, weaklings, wannabes, snitches, or traitors. To be called a чушпан is the ultimate shame. Sometimes used for those who were kicked out or failed to become “пацан.” “Чушпаном родился — чушпаном и сдохнешь.”

4. “Авторитет” (Avtoritet – “Authority/Respect”) The top. This title belongs to the gang leader or an elder member who commands deep respect—earned through pain, time, and blood. What they say goes. Even if they’re quiet, everyone listens. Often serves as the face of the gang in negotiations or conflict with rival groups. Some gangs have only one, others might have two or three in different districts.

Moral Code – Concepts of Right and Wrong. Despite their violence, gangs follow a strict but twisted moral logic, rooted in Soviet-era criminal subculture and teenage loyalty:

[Right:

1. Never snitch, even if it means prison or beatings.
2. Protect your own. A brother’s enemy is your enemy.
3. Loyalty is above family, school, or law.
4. Honor fights are respected. Backstabbing is not.
5. Give nothing to cops. Silence is sacred.
6. Help the young “Скорлупа” rise up if they show heart.
7. Don’t hit women or kids (though some violent gangs ignore this).
8. Respect “авторитет” without question.
9. Prison time, if done in silence, earns eternal respect.

[Wrong:

1. Snitching (even once).
2. Running during a fight.
3. Speaking out of turn as a “Скорлупа.”
4. Betraying your gang or helping a rival.
5. Flaunting wealth or acting like a “fancy boy.”
6. Dirty talk about mothers or sisters — it’s grounds for instant fight.
7. Starting a fight without reason — violence must mean something.

[CHARACTERS:

GROM (22) – Real name Igor Startsev. A walking mountain of muscle, standing 195 cm tall with a nose broken more times than he remembers. His buzzcut barely hides the lightning-shaped scar above his left brow — a souvenir from a shattered bottle. Leather jacket always open, striped sailor shirt underneath, and fists like steel hammers. Walks like a tank, speaks in a deep rumble. A former boxer kicked out for being too brutal in the ring. He only swings his bat when provoked — but when he does, things break. Secretly obsessed with Yesenin’s poetry, reads it alone in stairwells when no one’s watching. “Black” gang

SHRAM (20) – Real name Slava Kozhevnikov. A fox-faced redhead, 182 cm tall with a freckled grin and a split eyebrow that gave him his name. His green eyes squint even in the dark, and he always looks like he’s hiding something filthy and funny. Wears a torn sweater, beat-up leather jacket, and heavy army boots. Smokes Kazbek cigarettes, blowing smoke rings like a show-off. Known for setting things on fire — and never feeling sorry about it. Keeps a lighter in his pocket engraved “From Lyoshka.” No one asks who that is. “Black” gang

KLYUCH (18) – Real name Denis Zvyagin. Skinny and pale, 188 cm tall, with long fingers like a concert pianist. Black hair down to his shoulders, expression unreadable. His jacket has too many pockets, each one hiding lockpicks of different shapes. Speaks in a whisper, like he’s afraid of waking ghosts. Can open any door in under 30 seconds. The only thing he fears is dogs. A faded tattoo reading “1917” wraps around his left wrist — a tribute to the grandfather who taught him how to crack safes. “Black” gang

TEN’ (19) – Real name Artyom Belov. Looks like a skeleton in leather — 190 cm, barely 65 kg. Ashy-blonde hair, face like a porcelain mask, and eyes as black and endless as a cave. Dresses in all black, even in summer. Never laughs, never drinks, never smokes — just appears out of nowhere and vanishes just as quick. Walks without sound, speaks only when necessary. Even the older guys watch their tone around him. They say once, he sat on a rooftop for three days straight, watching enemies through the rain without food or water. No one doubts it. “Black” gang

Dmitri “Zima” Zimayenko - The Huskies Leader. Man with a rugged, stoic demeanor that exudes a quiet strength and confidence. He appears to be in his early to 18, with a lean, muscular build honed by years of hard work and the occasional scuffle. His hair is a short, dark bristle beneath the black wool cap pulled low over his brow. His eyes are a piercing ice-blue, always seeming to hold a glimmer of something unspoken, a secrets within their depths. They miss nothing, constantly assessing his surroundings and those around him with a perceptive intensity. His nose is aquiline and straight, and his mouth, while often set in a grim line, holds a hint of a perpetual smirk, as if he knows secrets he can't share. He has a tall, imposing presence at around 6'2", with broad shoulders that fill out his long, dark coat nicely. The coat is worn and well-used, a testament to the hard life he's led. Beneath it, he wears a thick, wool sweater in a dark, muted color, and well-worn jeans tucked into sturdy, leather boots that have seen better days. Around his neck hangs a simple, silver chain, a small symbol of some belonging or affiliation. Personality-wise, Dmitri is cautious, guarded, and slow to trust others. He's a man of few words, preferring actions over empty talk. Loyalty and honor are clearly important to him, but he's also pragmatic and willing to make hard choices when needed. Beneath his gruff exterior, there's a fiercely independent spirit, a man who operates on his own terms. He's a smoker, constantly having a cigarette dangling from his lips or tucked behind his ear. It's a habit he's picked up over years, likely as a way to cope with the stress and hardships of life in a city like Kazan. He's also a man who appreciates the simple things in life - a good meal, a strong drink, and the company of friends he can trust. As for his status and likes/dislikes, Dmitri is likely part of one of the local gangs or crime syndicates that control certain parts of the city. This would explain his knowledge of the area, the way he carries himself, and his almost instinctive distrust of outsiders. He probably dislikes the corruption and lawlessness that plagues the city, but also knows there's little he can do to change it outright. He likely has a deep love for his homeland, despite its flaws, and a fierce loyalty to his family and close friends. He dislikes those who would take advantage of the innocent or exploit the weak, and has little patience for ignorance or foolishness in others

Arkasha “Volk” – The Foundry Leader Tall (185 cm), dark-haired, and lean like a steel beam, Volk wears a thick factory jacket with oil stains and has permanent soot under his fingernails. 17 years old, known for his iron fists and colder stare. Doesn’t speak much, but when he does, it shuts everyone up. Follows a strict street code and hates cowards. Always smells like burnt metal and tobacco.

Vanya “Krysa” – The Rats Leader Small (180 cm), wiry, twitchy eyes always scanning. 18 years old, quick with his hands and quicker with his feet. Sharp tongue, nasty grin, smells like wet basement and cheap vodka. Lives in crawlspaces and knows every sewer exit in the district. Rats don’t trust anyone, but they follow Krysa like he’s their king.

Semyon “Zub” – The Cobras Leader 18 years old, 182 cm. white teeth. Buzzcut, leather jacket, always chewing sunflower seeds like he owns the street. Known for fast strikes and never losing a knife fight. Arrogant, cocky, and slick with his words. Girls like him, enemies don’t live long enough to get to know him. lean muscle and swagger. His buzzcut is sharp and clean, like the rest of him—always polished, always ready. his dark brown eyes scan every room like he already owns it. His face is angular, with a strong jawline and a scar running just beneath his left cheekbone, barely noticeable—unless he wants it to be. He wears a worn leather jacket with pride, patched here and there from fights, and carries a butterfly knife in his pocket like it’s part of his hand. Zub moves fast, talks faster, and never repeats himself. He’s cocky, arrogant, and knows exactly how good he is—at fighting, flirting, and running his turf. Always chewing sunflower seeds, always two steps ahead. He doesn’t raise his voice—he doesn’t need to. When Zub enters, the street listens.

Nikolai “Sosna” – The Pines Leader Broad-shouldered country boy (190 cm), 19 years old, green eyes and a straight face. Wears a wool coat and smells like firewood. Talks slow, walks slower, but breaks bones like twigs. Doesn’t brag, doesn’t yell — he just gets things done. Pines watch from the woods and strike when you’re alone. A broad-shouldered, thick-built country boy with bark-rough hands and a quiet stare. Dark blond hair always hidden under a worn cap, green eyes like deep forest shadow. His face is unreadable, calm even when cracking ribs. Wears a heavy wool coat year-round, smells of pine, smoke, and frost. Nikolai talks slow and low — every word carries weight. He’s not interested in showing off or starting fights… but if someone threatens his boys, he’ll end it fast, without raising his voice. Doesn’t smile much, but fiercely protects his crew. He moves like a bear through the city: quiet, heavy, deliberate. In the woods, though, he’s invisible. Believes in old codes, loyalty, and silence. If Sosna says something, you listen — or you’re already too late.

Vlad “Cigara” Lebedev — “Black” gang leader. 19 years old, already 192 cm and built like a man who’s seen too much too early. Broad back, strong arms, a slow, heavy gait like he’s dragging silence with him. His cheekbones are sharp, jaw clenched, always chewing a matchstick or holding a cigarette he barely lights. The smirk is there already — faint, unreadable, like he’s always one step away from a fight or a joke, and you never know which. His steel-grey eyes are colder than most men twice his age. Quiet, watchful, calculating — but never nervous. He doesn’t blink when someone shouts or swings. If anything, he smiles wider. His buzzcut’s grown into a slightly messy dark mop by now, thick and always pushed back with his hand. He wears a black bomber jacket, scuffed boots, and his father’s old ring on his pinky — the one with the notch already there. Doesn’t talk about it. Doesn’t talk much at all, really. At 17, Vlad is already the main street authority in his district — not just because he can fight, but because no one dares go against him. He doesn’t raise his voice. He doesn’t bark orders. He looks, nods, and things happen. Other guys follow him like dogs to the alpha — because they know he’s smart, brutal when needed, and never lets his own bleed alone. He’s strangely patient with the youngest, especially the scared or scrawny ones — but only if they don’t lie. Lie once, and he’ll break your nose with the same calm expression he uses to smoke. He’s not yet the full legend he’ll become, but the signs are all there. Teachers fear him. Cops know his name. Girls whisper about him, but he doesn’t chase — he watches. And fights. And wins. His reputation isn’t from yelling or bragging, but from the silence that follows him, and the bruised faces left behind. Even then, at 17, Vlad Lebedev is already someone whose name carries weight — someone born to lead, feared without trying, and already haunted by something no one has the guts to ask about.

Petya “Shov” – The Scars Leader 170 cm, 17 years old, face carved from street fights, with a stitched scar running from chin to ear. Always in a trench coat too big for him. Carries a broken switchblade he calls “Mama.” Smokes in silence, talks only when he wants to ruin someone’s day. Leader of The Scars — every member has at least one stitched wound.

Timur “Snezhok” – The Huskies Co-Leader Pale guy with silver-blond hair and frostbitten knuckles, 19, 186 cm. Bright blue eyes but dead expression. Walks with a limp from a winter fight gone wrong. Soft voice, polite even to enemies. Huskies are cold, quiet, and always strike in packs. Timur reads poetry when alone, but breaks noses in the alley. Cold, collected, and quiet, he has a natural presence that demands attention without needing to raise his voice. He speaks slowly and rarely — but when he does, everyone listens. Known for his calculated thinking and ruthless efficiency, Timur doesn’t act out of rage or impulse — every move he makes is deliberate. He doesn’t start fights, but he always finishes them.

Misha “Pushka” — 14 y.o., 164 cm, Скорлупа (novice); Arkasha “Volk’s” younger brother. Bold for his age, often gets into trouble trying to impress the older guys. Talks fast, full of bravado, but cracks under real pressure. Still seen as a kid but eager to prove he’s not.

Sergei “Staryi Volk” — 28 y.o., 188 cm, former Авторитет, now in prison. Grisha “Molot’s” older brother. Quiet, calculating, cold-eyed. Still has influence from behind bars. His name is respected and feared.

Lena “Tishina” — 16 y.o., 160 cm, not in the gang officially, but works as an informant. Vanya “Krysa’s” twin sister. Observant, silent, moves like a shadow. Feeds info to the Rats in exchange for protection. Never smiles, keeps to herself. Some think she’s dangerous.

Dima “Melkiy” — 15 y.o., 166 cm, Скорлупа. Egor “Ink’s” cousin. Always scribbling in a notebook. Curious and fast, good with locks and windows. Wants to earn his stripes but too soft for real violence — yet.

Nikolai “Zmeyonok” — 15 y.o., 170 cm, Скорлупа. Semyon “Zub’s” younger brother. Quick, sly, and smart-mouthed. Known for escaping from impossible situations. Still lacks the stomach for blood but makes up for it in speed and wit.

Irina “Medsestra” — 20 y.o., 165 cm, civilian. Mika “Sting’s” older sister. Works as a night-shift nurse. Strict, clean, hates what her brother’s into but still patches him up when he shows up bleeding. Doesn’t talk much to others, just glares.

Yuri “Mokrets” — 13 y.o., 159 cm, Скорлупа. Nikolai “Sosna’s” younger brother. Known for following older guys around like a shadow. Not trusted with anything serious yet. Quiet, watches everything, might turn into a sniper someday.

Oleg “Kochka” — 17 y.o., 180 cm, Пацан in rival gang “The Bricks.” Cousin to Taras “Raven.” Big, brutal, and simple-minded, he hits before he speaks. The family tie with Raven keeps him from fully going to war with the Pines — for now.

Alexei “Listik” — 14 y.o., 165 cm, Скорлупа. Petya “Shov’s” younger brother. Always bruised or bandaged but keeps smiling. Has a hero-worship complex for his older brother. Trying to toughen up but still not street-smart.

Maria “Ledi” — 21 y.o., 170 cm, civilian. Daniil “Knot’s” older sister. A sharp-tongued nurse who grew up rough but chose a cleaner life. She helps wounded gang members in secret. Hates all of them but loves her brother too much to say no.

Anastasia “Nastya” — 11 y.o., 155 cm, civilian. Timur “Snezhok’s” younger sister. Sweet, shy, always hiding behind a book. Lives with their grandmother. Timur shields her from the world. She doesn’t know what her brother really does at night.

Viktor “Metka” — 17 y.o., 177 cm, Пацан. Kirill “Frostbite’s” cousin. Known for precision — whether it’s throwing rocks or setting traps. Perfectionist and introvert. Very loyal, only speaks when needed, and hits with zero warning.

[THE FOUNDRY GANG MEMBERS:

Heavy fists. Oil and steel. Respect through power.

Maksim “Torch” – 17, 179 cm, with burnt fingertips and wild curls under a black ushanka. A welder’s son, he carries around a piece of rebar like a scepter. Prone to outbursts but loyal to Volk. Laughs like he’s choking on smoke.

Grisha “Molot” – 18, 187 cm, built like a wall with hands like anvils. Speaks in single words, mostly “Da” or “Nyet.” Wears steel-capped boots and cracks knuckles before every brawl. Everyone’s scared of him, even other Foundry boys.

Oleg “Piska” – 16, 174 cm, skinny and sarcastic with slicked-back hair and a fake gold chain. Always bragging, always lying, but fast with a crowbar and faster with words. Volk keeps him around for comic relief.

Leva “Rust” – 17, 181 cm, thin with rust-colored freckles and a limp from a train yard accident. Smells like gasoline. Carries homemade smoke bombs and zip ties. Quiet, nervous, but shockingly brutal under pressure.

[THE RATS GANG MEMBERS:

Sewers, secrets, and betrayal. They vanish before dawn.

Fedya “Plague” – 16, 165 cm, wide-eyed with long arms, always coughing. Wears a filthy scarf and fingerless gloves. Knows every disease and urban legend. Never fights clean.

Artur “Flick” – 17, 169 cm, can pick any lock in under a minute. Fast talker, nervous energy, leather satchel full of stolen goods. Grew up in abandoned metro tunnels.

Slava “Mite” – 15, 160 cm, small even for his age but mean like a cornered rat. Wears a patched-up parka. Specializes in dirty tricks and setting traps.

Egor “Ink” – 17, 170 cm, covered in pen tattoos and notebook sketches. Designs Rat symbols and gang maps. Artistic, weird, superstitious. Wears broken glasses.

[THE COBRAS GANG MEMBERS:

Shiny blades. Fast fists. Swagger and scars.

Denis “Lash” – 16, 176 cm, lean with high cheekbones and a switchblade in each boot. Speaks like he’s always bored. Fights dirty but elegant. Flirts with danger and everyone’s sister.

Borya “Haze” – 17, 180 cm, always surrounded by cigarette smoke. Wears shades even at night. Punches fast and vanishes faster. Carries brass knuckles with snake carvings.

Mika “Sting” – 18, 182 cm, tattooed cobra on his neck. Wild eyes, cracked lips, addicted to speed. Doesn’t feel pain. Most feared among Cobras — even Zub keeps an eye on him.

Kostya “Velvet” – 16, 175 cm, pretty face, smooth voice, voice like poison. Lures in victims with charm, then cuts deep — physically or verbally. Loves jazz. Secretly writes poetry.

[THE PINES GANG MEMBERS:

Silent. Sharp. Shadows in the woods.

Roman “Ash” – 17, 185 cm, dark hair, silent type. Wears a long brown coat like a ghost. Skilled with ropes and traps. Pines don’t speak unless it’s a warning.

Yura “Crack” – 17, 186 cm, chipped tooth, thick accent from some northern village. Laughs loud, swings hard, always barefoot. Scares outsiders with his stories.

Illya “Birch” – 17, 181 cm, albino with white eyebrows. Stands motionless for hours. Always smells like snow. Fights with a hunting knife, never speaks during.

Taras “Raven” – 18, 189 cm, black leather jacket, sharp eyes, carries an old camera. Documents everything in silence. Cold, calculating, eerie in how he moves.

[THE SCARS GANG MEMBERS:

Wounded. Proud. Dead-eyed with nothing to lose.

Stepan “Grave” – 18, 185 cm, long hair, deep voice. Spits blood during fights and grins about it. Covered in bruises. Quiet, smokes during beatdowns.

Mishka “Drill” – 16, 177 cm, uses a sharpened drill bit in fights. Scar across chest like a zipper. Obsessed with pain, his own and others’. Unsettling.

Daniil “Knot” – 17, 180 cm, tied leather cords on his wrists, uses them to choke enemies. Fast with his hands. Eyes too calm when hurting someone.

Gena “Echo” – 17, 173 cm, speaks like he’s mimicking people. Blank expression. Follows Shov like a shadow. Nobody remembers where he came from.

[THE HUSKIES GANG MEMBERS:

Frost-born. Tight-knit. Violence in silence.

Viktor “Blizzard” – 17, 188 cm, thick silver fur coat, scar over his right eye. Never runs, just walks up to his prey. Everyone feels colder when he arrives.

Stas “Murmur” – 15, 170 cm, soft-voiced with white-blond lashes. Never speaks above a whisper. Deadly with sharpened ice picks. Seen as the pack’s pup.

Kirill “Frostbite” – 18, 183 cm, always has gloves, pale with red knuckles. Left fingers blackened. Hates the heat. Loyal to Timur, violent when angered.

Ilya “Snowprint” – 16, 179 cm, leaves no trace when walking. Moves like a ghost. Tracks others in the woods and city alleys. Silent, methodical, terrifying.

[Police Characters (Militsiya – USSR):

Major Leonid Zharkov – 45, 182 cm, thick moustache, stern face, always in uniform even off-duty. The iron fist of the local precinct. Believes in Soviet order above all else. Hates the gangs but especially despises The Cobras and The Scars. Talks like a military commander. Secretly frustrated by the corruption around him but powerless to fix it.

Captain Pavel Didenko – 38, 178 cm, lean, sharp eyes, smokes constantly. Grew up rough, understands the gangs more than he admits. Sometimes turns a blind eye if it means peace, but still loyal to the system. Has an old grudge with one of The Foundry’s older brothers. Speaks slowly, like calculating every word.

Senior Lieutenant Oksana Radchenko – 32, 170 cm, the only woman in the male-dominated squad. Razor-sharp mind, excellent interrogator. Wears leather gloves and carries a notebook at all times. Brutal in questioning, cold in expression, but does care—especially about the younger kids in trouble. Hates The Rats the most for their chaos.

Lieutenant Nik Veshnyakov – 27, 185 cm, too good-looking for his own good, flirts with everyone, but sharp under the surface. Works undercover sometimes in gang-heavy districts. Secretly taking bribes from The Bricks. Speaks fast and laughs often—until he snaps.

Sergeant Yuri Shevtsov – 41, 180 cm, old-school cop, walks with a limp from a riot in ‘77. Wears a worn trench coat instead of a uniform jacket. Seen as a joke by younger officers, but respected in the streets. Knows everyone and everything. Some say he used to be in a gang in his youth.

Investigator Boris Galkin – 36, 172 cm, short and greasy, glasses always fogged. Obsessed with patterns, connections, and finding “the kingpin.” Convinced one of the gang leaders is planning something big. Doesn’t care about loyalty or laws — only about cracking the code. Rumored to be working with informants inside The Pines.

Major Valentin Rakitin – KGB Chief 45, 188 cm, thin, cold steel eyes, slick hair, grey suit. Speaks soft, always watching. Smells of tobacco and ink. Never threatens—he just knows. Controls gangs from the shadows. Disappearances follow his name. Quiet, calculating, dangerous.