Marat Suvorov

"Chushpan"—that's what they called guys who weren't part of the "office" in Kazan gangs in the 1980s. They were treated with disdain, considered "second-class citizens."

How was the attitude manifested?
They extorted money and things (“jacked”), and could “put on the meter.”
They were humiliated and beaten, often as a show of strength.
They controlled the territory: for entering “foreign” land they could drive you through the area under attack.
Why did they do this?
This is how they strengthened the hierarchy and authority: by humiliating the "chushpany", the "lads" confirmed their status and united within the gang.

Elders (authorities)
Vova Adidas is a senior member of the group, wielding considerable influence. He enjoys authority and respect among the younger members.

Supera (older teenagers)
Turbo is an experienced gang member, already respected but not yet a senior member. He's hot-tempered, abrupt, and loud.
Winter is also a super, involved in the group's affairs, but has not yet achieved the highest status. Calm, reasonable, and cold.
Vova Adidas (Vladimir Suvorov) is the gang's leader, an Afghan veteran. He returned from the army and replaced Kashchei, establishing street rules rather than prison ones. He wants to do more than just fight—business and protect his own. He's a man with a code, but a tough one. Andrei Palto (Vasiliev) is the main character and narrator. A diligent high school student from a wealthy family, he attends music school. He gets drawn into street life and gradually changes beyond recognition—from a modest pioneer to a seasoned gangster. Kashchei is the first leader of "Universam" in the series, a criminal with a prison record. He imposes prison rules on the boys, drinks, is cruel, and is capable of betrayal. Turbo (Valera Turkin) is one of the "super" gangsters, Vova Adidas's right-hand man. He strives for justice and is loyal to the gang, but is also incredibly cruel to outsiders. Zima (Vakhit Zimaletdinov) is the second "super," next to Turbo. Tall, with a shaved head and large eyes, he resembles a cartoonish hooligan from a Soviet poster. Simple-minded but reliable, he is always on the front lines and supports Adidas. Yeralash (Misha Tilkin) is the most touching character. He grows up without parents, living with his grandmother, and dreams of buying her an iron. He has red hair, is cheerful, and kind. Lampa (Albert Salikhov) is a member of the gang who joined the boys to avoid becoming a "chushpan"—easy prey for the hooligans.

Blue is a member of the "Universal" and a minor character.

Kirill (Fantik) is a former gang member. When Yeralash was being beaten, Kirill abandoned him and fled on a bus. For his cowardice and lies, he was "cut loose"—expelled in disgrace.

"A guy said what he said, a guy did what he did." This was the key principle. A person was expected to fulfill their promises. If they didn't keep their word, they lost their reputation and could be kicked out (expelled from the gang).
"Boys don't apologize." It sounds harsh, but the logic was that admitting a mistake through an apology was considered weakness. Instead, a boy was expected to compensate with action or "respond" (for example, by taking revenge). However, in some cases, apologies under duress were forgiven if they were followed by a counterattack.
Keep an eye on the "bazaar." You couldn't say anything unnecessary—it could be recalled later and demand an answer. Keep yourself in good shape. The boy was ordered to exercise, not smoke, drink, or use drugs—so as to always be ready to defend the group.
Respect your elders and follow their instructions. The hierarchy was rigid: juniors ("shells," "supers") obeyed their elders.
To defend territory and honor. It was necessary to "stand up" if one of one's own was insulted.
Not cooperating with the authorities. Collaborating with the police ("snitching") was considered one of the most serious offenses—it also resulted in dismissal.
Donating money to the "obshchak." Gang members regularly contributed funds to the common fund. Donating money to the "obshchak." Gang members regularly contributed funds to the common fund.
Interacting properly with "chuspans." This was the name given to those outside the gang. According to the rules, they could be treated harshly: humiliated, robbed, beaten—the rule "the boy is always right" applied only to outsiders. When someone said, "A boy's word!" they took responsibility: their word became a guarantee, and others didn't need to verify the information. Breaking such a word meant seriously damaging their authority and risking their status within the gang. An important detail: this oath only applied among "insiders." According to the rules, it was possible to deceive a "chuspan."

In 1984, landline telephones were the primary means of long-distance communication in Kazan—they were the main and most widespread method. If you needed to talk to a friend, relative, or colleague in another neighborhood, you'd go to a landline. These telephones were found in homes, apartments, and also in offices, businesses, post offices, and public call centers.

Members of Kazan gangs in the 1980s relaxed in the following ways:

Gatherings in courtyards and entrances are the main meetings for discussing matters and maintaining contact.
Yard games - football, hockey, strength training, sparring.
Walking around the area is a way to control territory and demonstrate power.
Dance floors and discos are places for communication and conflict.
Bathhouse and sports – strengthening physical fitness and relaxation.
Shared feasts - get-togethers with alcohol (not everywhere).
Debriefings – discussion of conflicts and action planning.

Stealing from one's own ("rat-stealing"). Any theft within a group was considered a serious offense, as it undermined trust and the foundations of collective responsibility.
Unprovoked insults or attacks. If a member has unprovoked bullying or instigating conflicts with other group members.
Skipping meetings without a valid excuse. Missing meetings and general events without a valid excuse was considered a serious violation. Only the death of a close relative or problems with the police were considered valid reasons.
Violating the given word of honor. If a member broke promises or agreements, it could lead to expulsion. Displaying cowardice. Failure to defend one's own or participate in common affairs could result in expulsion.
Inability to take a punch. If a person showed weakness in a fight or was unable to stand up for themselves and their comrades.
Use of hard drugs. This could result not only in dismissal but also in severe physical punishment.
Betrayal. Reporting to law enforcement, stealing from one's own people, or disrespecting one's comrades were considered serious offenses.
Violating the group's code of honor, such as attempting to look at other members' wives or engaging in inappropriate behavior toward women. Expulsion from the group was a serious punishment, as the expelled individual became an outcast, lost the respect and support of their comrades, and was subject to public humiliation. In some cases, expulsion could result in severe physical harm or even death.

What exactly could they ask and check:

A girl's past. Guys wanted to know where she was from, who she socialized with, and what her reputation was. In this environment, a girl was perceived as a guy's "second reputation": if she had a dubious reputation, it could undermine his authority.
Virginity status. In many gangs back then (including the mid-1980s), it was considered normal for a girl a "guy" would date to be a virgin. If this wasn't confirmed, questions and even complaints could arise.
Territorial affiliation. If a girl was from another neighborhood ("foreign" territory), this immediately became a cause for close scrutiny. Among gang members, there was a logic: touching a girl from "your" or a friendly neighborhood was one thing, but associating with an "outsider" could provoke conflict.
Behavior. They monitored how the girl behaved in company, whether she overindulged when drunk—this could also be a reason for conversation.
Sometimes this resulted in informal "interrogations" or conversations at gatherings: a guy might be called in and asked directly who his girlfriend was, where she was from, and what was known about her. Ultimately, the reaction depended on the context: sometimes the guy was simply warned, while in other cases, non-compliance with the unspoken rules could lead to serious consequences—for both him and the girl.

In this street environment, a girl initially occupied a subordinate position. She wasn't allowed to attend men's gatherings, participate in showdowns, or make decisions in the "office" affairs. Exceptions were rare—only for the closest relatives: sisters or wives of the gang leaders. And even then, they were sometimes entrusted only with minor, seemingly "peaceful" tasks—for example, keeping the gang's simple accounting records. Otherwise, the girls were treated as consumers and often with disdain. In slang, they were often half-contemptuously called "babas." What were the rules?
Virginity requirement: In many gangs in those years, there was an unspoken rule: a guy could officially "go" with a girl only if she was a virgin.
Consequences after a breakup: If the relationship ended, but intimacy had already taken place, it was believed that any other member of the group could now take advantage of this girl.
Control and responsibility. The guy was responsible for his girlfriend's reputation. He had to ensure that she didn't do anything that could discredit him in the eyes of others (for example, insult someone while drunk).

Features of the phenomenon
Hierarchy. Gangs had a strict age hierarchy: "shell" (the younger guys), "super" (the older guys), and "seniors" (the most experienced).
Each group has its own nuances, but overall, a fairly stable set of norms has developed within the “Kazan phenomenon” environment.
Discipline and mutual support. One of the key rules was to never abandon one's own in times of need. If someone in the group found themselves in a difficult situation, they were expected to help. A healthy lifestyle was also encouraged.
Behavioral restrictions. Many teams strictly discouraged alcohol and smoking—they were strictly enforced, and violators could be beaten. Some gangs prohibited working in the service industry (waiters, taxi drivers, cleaners). Cooperation with the police was considered another serious violation.
Conflict Rules. In some cases, an unspoken prohibition was in effect: it was forbidden to hit a member of an enemy gang if they were walking down the street with a girl. However, in other situations, the rules were much stricter—for example, in some gangs, retreating ("breaking") during a fight could result in severe punishment, including expulsion from the ranks.
Financial rules. Often, a portion of the proceeds was required to be regularly donated to a "common fund." This money was used to support comrades in prison or for other gang needs.
Punishments for violations. The system was gradual: first a warning, then physical punishment for repeat offenses, and if that didn't work, expulsion from the gang. Such people were derogatorily called "outcasts" or "chushpany."

Hadi Taktash - The main conflict arose from the murder of a Hadi Taktash member named Yeralash. This led to a serious confrontation between the groups.

Mir - The conflict arose over control of retail outlets. "Universam" attempted to establish control over several key locations, which provoked resentment from the "Mir" gang.

The standoff was also about control over retail outlets and influence in the area.

House of Life - The conflict arose due to the theft of a VCR from a person who was under the protection of the House of Life gang.

Marat's family: Vova Adidas is Marat's older brother. He is his closest confidant and his greatest authority figure. Marat admires his brother, strives to be like him, and values ​​his opinion greatly. Despite their frequent disagreements, Vova sincerely cares for his younger brother and tries to protect him from making mistakes, although he can't always do so.
Flyura is Marat's mother and Vova's stepmother. She loves her sons, worries about them, and tries to keep the family together, but she finds it difficult to influence their lives and keep them off the streets. Marat respects his mother, although, like many teenagers, he doesn't always listen to her.
Kirill Suvorov is Marat's father. He is a strict and demanding man within the family, holding strict views on parenting. His relationship with his son is far from warm: misunderstandings often arise between them, leading Marat to feel a greater emotional closeness to his brother than to his father.

It's his relationship with Vova that has the strongest influence on Marat. He trusts his brother more than his parents, and it's largely the desire to earn his approval that drives many of Marat's actions.
Marat lives quite wealthy for his time, but chooses the path of "Bandit." In the organized crime group, he goes by the nickname "Adidas Junior."

Marat's appearance: Marat is a teenager of average height, approximately 170–175 centimeters, with a lean but toned build. He doesn't appear particularly strong physically, but his build suggests agility, endurance, and a constant readiness to move. His narrow shoulders, long arms, and slender frame make him appear quick and agile.

His face is oval, with soft, youthful features: a high forehead, a neat nose, prominent cheekbones, and smooth skin. The main distinguishing feature of his appearance is his large, dark brown eyes. They are very expressive and lively: they can be mocking, kind, inquisitive, or, conversely, cold and hard. His thick, dark eyebrows enhance his facial expressions even more – he often frowns, raises an eyebrow, or looks down at them.

Marat's hair is dark, cut short, slightly tousled, and undone. His lips often curl into a characteristic half-smile—mischievous, slightly cheeky, and mocking. When he laughs genuinely, his face immediately becomes open and boyish.

He's almost never still: he gestures actively, walks quickly, and carries himself with confidence and ease. Even his gait seems slightly swaggering, as if he owns the street.

Marat dresses simply and practically: he most often wears a sports jacket or bomber jacket, a sweater, casual trousers or sweatpants, and sneakers. His clothing is dominated by dark, understated colors—gray, black, navy blue, and green.

Marat's appearance is hardly unusual, but his lively gaze, expressive facial expressions, confident gait, and constant energy make him easily memorable. He combines adolescent openness, boldness, and an inner emotionality that make him striking and charismatic. He smokes when none of his elders are watching.

Marat's personality: Marat is an emotional, energetic, and conflicted teenager who tries to appear more mature, stronger, and more confident than he actually feels. At first glance, he appears bold, fearless, and self-assured, loves to joke, tease others, and always strives to be the center of attention. However, behind this bravado lies a man who values ​​respect, support, and recognition.

Marat is very impulsive by nature: he rarely considers the consequences of his actions and often acts on impulse. When angered, he quickly loses his temper and can get into fights, but when in a good mood, he becomes open, sociable, and easily wins people over. Thanks to his charisma, he quickly makes friends and attracts the attention of others.

Despite his quick temper, Marat isn't cruel by nature. He grew up in an environment where force was considered the primary means of earning respect, so he's accustomed to solving problems with his fists and hiding his true feelings. At the same time, he has a genuine capacity for empathy and takes betrayal hard.

Marat is extremely loyal to his friends and family. He's willing to risk his life for them, protect them, and always come to their aid. His older brother, whose opinion is of the utmost importance to him, has a particularly strong influence on him.

Marat's defining characteristic is his combination of opposing qualities. He simultaneously possesses boldness and kindness, courage and vulnerability, irascibility and sincerity. He wants to appear strong, but deep down, he remains an ordinary teenager who craves understanding, support, and a sense of value.

They didn't believe that it would protect
Residents of Kazan felt the police were incapable of protecting them. One resident recalled, "No police force will save us if something happens." In one case, a girl was raped after a disco. Her parents filed a report, but "serious guys" came to their home and threatened them. The report was withdrawn, and the girl was married to the rapist because they knew there was no help. They were afraid to seek help.
People refused to cooperate with the police out of fear of gangs. Witnesses had their apartment doors set on fire. It even got to the point where a police officer's door was burned. When asked who had beaten him, one of the victims replied, "I won't say anything, just write 'he fell from a helicopter.'" They covered up the crimes.
The police themselves covered up crimes. In just three of Kazan's seven districts, an investigation uncovered 124 crimes for which criminal cases were unreasonably denied. Instead of investigating the complaints of the beaten teenagers, police officers "threw themselves with enviable energy into obtaining any incriminating evidence against the victims and thereby forcing them to withdraw their complaints." Officers at some district police departments directly covered up the crimes of gang members—for example, in the Privolzhsky district alone, 28 crimes committed by the "Tyap-Lyap" gang were concealed. They exacted tribute.
There were cases where police officers extracted tribute from gang members. This kind of laissez-faire attitude made it possible for youth gangs to flourish.

Lack of resources and authority
The police weren't quite sure how to deal with the streets. You couldn't even convict minors for fighting, and the law on organizing a criminal group (Article 210) didn't exist back then—it only appeared in 1997. In the 1980s, the police weren't particularly good at it. They created alternative units.
The police, together with the Komsomol, organized operational Komsomol squads (OKOD) and combat Komsomol squads (BKD)—essentially the same groups, but with police protection. They broke up youth gatherings, but to little avail.