Shadow Empire: The Rise of Covert Crime and Human Trafficking in Russia and Beyond
Organized crime and human trafficking in Russia and other former Soviet states represent a deeply entrenched, multifaceted problem with significant local and international ramifications. The evolution of Russian-based organized crime (RBOC) over the past two decades has seen a shift from visible street-level operations to more covert roles. They have intertwined their operations with local European gangs, diversifying their activities to include significant heroin trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal weapons imports. This adaptability and integration into local criminal networks, coupled with outdated policing approaches in Europe, have made it challenging to effectively combat RBOC.
The close connection between the Russian state and organized crime adds a layer of complexity to this issue. There is a significant crossover between the criminal underworld and the political upperworld in Russia, with the state often using criminals for various purposes, including raising funds through activities like cigarette smuggling, conducting cyberattacks, and even carrying out assassinations. This symbiotic relationship allows the state to exploit criminal networks for geopolitical gains, leveraging unconventional tactics due to its deficit in economic and soft power compared to the West. Consequently, organized crime is often close to the state and used to the advantage of Russian elites, though it is not accurate to characterize the entire underworld as an instrument of the state.
Human trafficking in Russia is a particularly severe aspect of RBOC, with the country serving as a major site for both domestic trafficking operations and international trade of trafficked persons. Most trafficking in Russia today involves forced labor, largely affecting migrant workers from Central Asia, Ukraine, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, and North Korea. These migrants are often lured with false promises of employment and then trapped in forced labor situations through the withholding of travel documents, non-payment of wages, or physical and psychological abuse.
The Russian government’s involvement in human trafficking, especially in forced labor, is notable. High-profile events like the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia were sources of forced labor. The government benefits significantly from the shadow economy, of which human trafficking is a substantial part. Approximately 25% of Russia’s GDP comes from the shadow economy, indicating the scale of the problem and the government’s indirect benefit from these illicit activities.
Efforts to combat human trafficking in Russia are severely lacking. The laws in place are neither in alignment with international definitions of human trafficking nor effectively enforced. The reluctance of the Russian government to acknowledge and address the issue of human trafficking, coupled with weak law enforcement and widespread corruption, hinders any significant progress in combatting this crisis. Victims often lack legal protection and support, making it difficult for them to safely bring cases to court. The situation is further exacerbated by the “foreign agents” law, which restricts the activities of NGOs and activists who are critical in providing support to trafficking victims.
In conclusion, the issues of organized crime and human trafficking in Russia and other former Soviet states pose significant challenges to local and international security, human rights, and global crime dynamics. The deep-rooted involvement of the Russian state in these activities, coupled with the adaptability and integration of RBOC into local and international criminal networks, makes it difficult to combat these crimes effectively. A coordinated international effort, a better understanding of the nature of these criminal networks, and a commitment to protecting and supporting victims are crucial for addressing these issues.
