In the last two decades, Russian organized crime (Russian mafiya groups) has become distinctive, a post-modernist phenomenon and characterized by loose and flexible networks of semi-autonomous criminal entrepreneurs, with a keen awareness of the political environment in which it operates. It emerged quickly and forcefully after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The entrepreneurialism of Russian organized crime groups extends to their international operations. The mafiya groups continue illegally to export money, natural resources, and weapons. They are also major users and providers of money-laundering services globally. The 1998 economic crash and the rise of Vladimir Putin in 1999 spurred the consolidation of organized crime in Russia. Russian organized crime has adapted to its circumstances and the surrounding environment in which it lives. The Russian state had problems fighting organized crime. During the 1990's due to corruption within the elite, a lack of resources, and a lack of political will. However, corruption such as organized crime, is seen today as a very serious problem which needs to be addressed. Ultimately, though, coercion is more likely to drive organized crime underground, not break it. The victory against the Russian mafiya will be a long-term process based mainly on winning back the ground surrendered to organized crime. Notes, references