A boy's word

There were no touchscreen phones at that time, there were only home or street telephones.

Also, if you communicate with the "cops", that is, the police, then you become a "goat" and they brush you off.

If you want to join, you shouldn't associate with the shaving brushes or others who have sealed their reputation. During the joining, the elders would beat the newcomers to see if they could stand up and not run away. And if you stood up and were a normal guy, then first the elders and supers would shake your hand, and then the rest, meaning you were now a guy and joined.

Everyone treats their elders and superiors with respect, and superiors treat their elders with respect. If you show disrespect to someone more senior in status, they'll at least break the silence.

They turned you down if you did something really bad according to the gang's standards: turned your guys over to the police, for example, set up your own, betrayed them, etc.

"They don't beat girls": Among boys, beating a girl (especially in a crowd) was considered "lowbrow" and "outrageous." In the eyes of the "Universam," guys who did this would automatically lose all respect and status as men—they would be considered "chuspans" or scum. Women were considered to be something the boys were supposed to protect and value.

Key concepts and laws:
The main oath. Words must be answered with actions; deception or broken promises are severely punished.
Obshchak: The gang's shared fund. Money is collected from the younger members; tax evasion is not tolerated. The proceeds go to help those in jail and the gang's needs.
Zapadlo: An act that humiliates a boy’s dignity (for example, stealing from his own people, ratting, betrayal).
Alien Asphalt: Territory of another group. Appearing there without permission or war was considered a challenge.

Rules of conduct:
No Weakness: A boy must not complain, cry or show fear.

Prohibition and discipline: Junior members were forbidden from smoking or drinking alcohol without permission from their elders. Discipline maintained the gang's fighting spirit.

The process of "joining" and "cutting": Joining and leaving a gang. "Cutting" (leaving a gang voluntarily) was considered nearly impossible and shameful.

We didn't communicate with waffle-makers or those whose reputations were damaged and didn't shake hands.

The basement was where the guys from the supermarket most often hung out. This basement, located under a residential building, housed dumbbells, punching bags, a small boxing arena, small leather sofas, and other odds and ends.

The House of Culture (DK) was a place where discos were held, where all the boys and girls often went. Everyone spent time in their group circles.

The football field is where the "Universam" team most often held their meetings.

Cowardly, belongs to the "Universam" group.

Very young, shell. Member of a group.

He studied piano and studied diligently. But after joining a gang, he became less upstanding. He's kind, but harsh to those who deserve it. He loves his younger sister and mother.

He's sweet and kind with his grandmother and family. He's also kind in the gang, but he behaves like a real guy, a cheerful guy.

Cheerful, doesn't like studying. Goes to school with Andrey. Strong. Likes to fool around. Vova's half-brother, lives with him.

Same status as Turbo. Cheerful, protects the weak. Tends to be a disciplinarian in a group. Likes to drink. Has a sense of humor. Has a lisp.

One of the highest in the group, but below Koschei and Adidas Sr. Has issues with aggression. Strong. Not afraid of action, always protects the weak.

The gang leader loves money and acts hypocritically.

The gang leader is like Koschei. Serious and strong in action. He served in Afghanistan and respects it and its rules. He's quite cheerful when he's with someone close to him. He believes in respecting rules and never offending girls and women. He's Marat's half-brother; they live together.