Who started the Russian mafia?

Answer 1

The Russian mafia, or "mafiya," has roots that trace back to the Tsarist era, but it gained significant prominence in the post-Soviet era during the 1990s. It emerged from various criminal organizations and networks that filled the power vacuum following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Key figures, such as Semion Mogilevich and other gang leaders, played pivotal roles in organizing and expanding these criminal enterprises, but no single individual can be credited with "starting" the Russian mafia as it evolved through a complex interplay of socio-economic factors and historical circumstances.