As far as I have gathered the Russian Mafiya and the Vory v Zakone aren't two distinct organizations. Theres just not enough Vors to be able to afford not working with the new breed of Russian mobsters. And for the msot part the two idealogies are similar enough to be itnertwinded

The Vors are the Old-School mentality gangsters born in the Soviet prison system. Traditionalists who have their own codes, conduct and rituals that are very deeply intwined with the culture of Russian gulags.

After the fall of Communism a new breed of ambitious upstarts began to grow into what is now commonly thought of as the Russian Mafia. They are the more familiar types of gangsters. Money-minded and more pliable then the old breed.

However within Russian mob outfits Vors still command respect. Not out of role withing the organization*s) but out of tradition, reputation and underworld "honor". But even that seems to be circumstantial these days.

Also, on a side not. The Vor phenomenon has been adopted by other Eastern Europeans, not just Russians. Mostly former Soviet bloc countries. So you can find Vors withing Chechen, Ukrainian, Russian Jewish, and even Slavic criminal groups.

So all in all, to summarize.
What is left of the dwindling Vory tradition and it's adherents
Make up a minority percentage within Russian Mafia organizations. But seem more often then not to be within positions of power, if not bosses in their own right.

Last edited by AmericanCrime; 11/27/11 06:54 PM.