Solntsevskaya Bratva, named after the Solntsevo neighborhood, is the most powerful and most dangerous mafia group of Russia. It is estimated to have more than 5,000 members.
Solntsevskaya Bratva was formed in 1980s by the gangsters Syergyej Mihajlov ‘Mikhas’ and Viktor Averin. They based their organization on Western guidelines rather than following the traditional style, but the discipline was strictly followed. Syergyej Mihajlov Mikhas instead of vor called himself a businessman.
The mafia gangs under this group had a complete control over the south-west region of the city. This group later on merged with the Orekhovskaya mafia group which was run by Syergyej Timofeyev, a thief-in-law. This merger occurred due to the fear of Chechen mafia group.
In 1989, Mikhaylov along with several other leaders were arrested which negatively effected this organization. Several other gangsters tried forming their separate groups but in vain, as most of them got killed.
In spite of all this, Solntsevskaya Bratva regained itself in the 90s and emerged as the most powerful and dangerous criminal organization. Mikhaylov took hold of it along with the businesses owned by Orekhovskaya group.
Solntsevskaya Bratva was believed to control around 120 legitimate businesses in the Moscow, Crimea and Samara regions as well as many businesses abroad. The Bratva offers them protection as well as assists them in various other matters other than the legal.
Mikhaylov was arrested in 1996 in Switzerland, but strangely enough all the witnesses were found dead before his trial. So as there was no evidence against Mikhaylov, he was freed and to-date he is the boss of the Bratva.