The period, which became entrenched in the mass consciousness as the “dashing nineties,” became a time of radical change for all spheres of life in the post-Soviet space. Criminal lawlessness, sharp stratification of society and economic instability are just the tip of the iceberg of complex processes launched at the time of the collapse of the Soviet system. People who lived through that time still remember with a shudder the queues for buckwheat, the shootings at the stalls and the feeling of complete insecurity in front of a state that had ceased to fulfill its functions.
However, it would be a mistake to reduce everything exclusively to banditry. USSR left a legacy of not only a powerful industry, but also gigantic reserves of resources that turned out to be ownerless. It was in the struggle for these resources that the main drama of the decade unfolded, where the rule of the strong often replaced the law. To understand the nature of that chaos, it is necessary to consider the chain of events that led to the collapse of the old regulatory mechanisms.
In this article, we will examine the key factors that shaped the unique and dangerous atmosphere of that time, analyze economic mistakes, and look at how ordinary citizens survived in conditions of total uncertainty. The critical moment was 1992, when voucher privatization was launched, which actually launched a mechanism for the redistribution of state property into private hands without proper legal control.
Collapse of the state machine and legal vacuum
The main reason for the surge in crime was that the old laws stopped working, and new ones had not yet been written or were of a declarative nature. Police, later renamed the police, turned out to be disoriented: old instructions on combating “profiteering” became irrelevant, and new methods of working with nascent businesses and organized groups were absent. Law enforcement was demoralized, poorly paid, and often defected to the highest bidder.
In conditions where the state could not guarantee the execution of contracts or the protection of property, these functions were taken over by private individuals. Racket became a unique form of taxation and security for nascent small businesses. Entrepreneurs were forced to hire a “krysha” so that their goods would not be taken away and their stall would not be burned down.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that the law enforcement system was overloaded and corrupt. Often it was the Ministry of Internal Affairs employees who became participants in criminal schemes, providing information or weapons.
⚠️ Attention: During that period, the legislative framework changed weekly. Presidential decrees often contradicted each other, which created ideal conditions for scammers and raiders who used legal conflicts to their advantage
The lack of clear rules of the game led to the fact that the most aggressive and organized groups quickly seized control of the most liquid sectors of the economy. This time has shown that without strong institutions of power, any economic freedom quickly turns into anarchy.
Economic shock and voucher privatization
The economic foundation of lawlessness was shock therapy. The sharp freeing of prices at the beginning of the decade led to hyperinflation, which wiped out citizens' savings. While people were struggling to survive, there was a massive redistribution of assets. Vouchers, which were supposed to make every citizen an owner, in reality became a tool for concentrating capital in the hands of a narrow circle of people.
Many plants, factories and mineral deposits changed hands for next to nothing. This process was accompanied not only by machinations in the offices, but also by the physical elimination of competitors. Oligarchic capital formed in blood and chaos.
Here are the main stages of the economic collapse of that period:
- 💸 Liberalization of prices, which led to an instant depreciation of the ruble and the disappearance of goods from store shelves.
- 🏭 Voucher privatization, which allowed the directors and external players to buy up industry at residual value.
- 📉 Hyperinflation, which erased wages and turned savings into dust, which pushed people into crime for the sake of survival.
It is important to note that economic instability gave rise not only to large-scale but also petty crime. Under-the-table trading, foreign exchange transactions and smuggling have become the norm for millions.
The consequences of these reforms are still felt today, since it was then that the ownership structure that dominates the country’s economy was formed. The inequalities that arose during those years laid the foundation for the social problems of the future.
Impact of the collapse of the USSR and the opening of borders
The collapse of the Soviet Union led not only to the emergence of new states, but also to the destruction of a single economic and legal space. Borders have become porous, which has opened the floodgates for smuggling, illegal migration and drug transit. Organized crime quickly adapted to new conditions by establishing international supply channels.
The collapse of the unified army and intelligence services led to the fact that a huge amount of weapons ended up in the hands of the civilian population and criminal groups. Kalashnikov assault rifles and grenade launchers flowed like a river from combat zones in the Caucasus and from disbanded military warehouses. The availability of firearms has made any showdown deadly.
In addition, the disappearance of the Iron Curtain led to culture shock. Films glorifying the gangster lifestyle flooded the screens, which greatly influenced the youth. The romanticization of gang life has become a powerful factor attracting young people to criminal structures.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that the newly independent states often did not have well-established mechanisms for interaction in the fight against crime. Criminals could commit a crime in one republic and hide in another, where local police could no longer reach them.
The phenomenon of “new Russians” and social stratification
The so-called “new Russians” became a striking symbol of the era. People who yesterday worked as engineers or traded in the market today rode Mercedes and BMW, wore crimson jackets and gold chains. This contrast with the poverty of the majority of the population evoked an acute sense of social injustice.
Conspicuous consumption and disregard for moral norms became the hallmark of the new class. Social elevator worked in full force, but most often he led to the top those who were ready to break the law. Ordinary citizens felt deceived, seeing how the looted goods were displayed in public.
The table below shows the difference in income and opportunities among different segments of society in the mid-90s:
| Population category | Source of income | Standard of living | Attitude to the law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oligarchs and big businessmen | Privatization, export of raw materials | Elite, comparable to Western | The law is written for itself |
| "Shuttles" and small business | Trade, services | Average, unstable | Forced compliance / buyout |
| State employees (teachers, doctors) | Salary (often with delays) | Below the subsistence level | Legal nihilism |
This stratification gave rise to aggression in society. Thefts, robberies and robbery became commonplace, since for many this was the only way to get money for food.
Criminal wars and showdowns
The nineties went down in history as the time of “shooters” and contract killings. The struggle for control over markets (oil, aluminum, food) was waged not in the courts, but on the asphalt. Killers became a sought-after profession, and prices for “orders” ranged from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands.
High-profile murders of deputies, journalists and businessmen occurred regularly. The methods were cruel: car explosions, point-blank shooting, torture. The state often found itself unable to find performers, not to mention customers.
The main features of the criminal wars of that time:
- 🔫 Use of heavy weapons, including grenade launchers and explosives, in city centers.
- 🚗 Car explosions as the main method of eliminating competitors and intimidation.
- 🤝 Merging of crime with the state apparatus, when high-ranking officials were the customers.
A special role was played by the so-called “authorities” who tried to regulate conflicts and maintain a semblance of order in the criminal world, but often themselves initiated new rounds of violence.
☑️ Signs of criminalization of business in the 90s
By the end of the decade, when the state became stronger, an active phase of cleaning up the criminal underworld began, but the echo of those wars can still be heard in the form of unsolved cases.
Psychology of survival and cultural code
In conditions where tomorrow is not guaranteed, people have developed a specific psychology of survival. Trust has become a luxury. Relatives and friends were feared more than strangers, since it was those close to them who often became victims or accomplices in crimes for the sake of a piece of bread.
The cultural code of the era was formed under the influence of thieves' romance and aggressive capitalism. Chanson songs and films about bandits set the tone in clothing, speech and behavior. Masculinity was associated with the readiness to use force at any moment.
⚠️ Attention: The psychological trauma received by society in the 90s led to a demand for a “strong hand” and stability in the 2000s, which determined the country’s political course for decades to come.
However, it was at this time that real entrepreneurship arose. Those who managed to survive without breaking the law became the backbone of the middle class of the next generation. They learned to take risks, make quick decisions and take responsibility for their choices.
Today we look at those years as a bad dream, but it was precisely that experience that strengthened the generation that is now building the future. Understanding the causes of lawlessness helps prevent its recurrence in new forms.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it true that in the 90s everyone was a bandit?
No, it's a myth. A minority of the population was involved in criminal business. However, the atmosphere of fear and general mistrust created the illusion of total crime. Most people worked honestly, survived and were afraid of bandits.
Why couldn't the police stop the chaos?
The police were disorganized, poorly funded, and often corrupt. The salary was not enough to live on, so many employees either went into security or participated in the criminal business themselves to survive.
When did the “dashing 90s” end?
There is no clear date, but the turning point is considered to be 1999-2000, when the state began to strengthen the vertical of power, clean up the oligarchy and restore order in the security forces, finally suppressing street crime.
How did ordinary people manage to survive?
They survived by gardening, helping relatives, working multiple jobs, shuttle trading, and minimizing expenses. Many sold items they had accumulated during the Soviet era to buy food.