The state of organized criminality in Russia

Countering organized criminality is one of the global issues that require the consolidation of the efforts of all states, since the criminal activity of organized gangs and criminal communities have a negative impact on all spheres of living abilities of the society. Criminological studies of various types of criminality allow to determine their specificity and to develop effective preven- tive measures. In the article there are presented the results of the conducted study of the current state of organized criminality on the basis of official statistical reporting. It is noted that against the background of the general decrease in reported crimes, there is an increase in criminal acts, committed by organized gangs and criminal activity in the economic sphere. Organized criminality is closely linked to illegal drug trade and arms traffic, terrorism and extremism and cybercrime. Significant attention is devoted to the criminological characteristics of organized gangs and criminal communities, formed on ethnic lines (ethnic criminality). In the multi-ethnic Russia their activity is a disturbing particular concern, which has a very high-profile specificity (a certain “criminal hand writing”, criminal specialization, unique internal structure, etc.), caused by customs, traditions and ethnic-psychological characteristics of the members. On the one hand, such circumstances complicate the detection and investigation of crimes, committed by such gangs, on the other hand - make them more predictable. The results of the study of organized criminality at the regional level are presented in the article. The conclusions of the conducted study allow iden- tifying new threats, to assess priority areas for preventive activity, to develop and effectively appropriate measures to counter not only organized criminality but also criminal acts in general.