Blatnoy: On

: During and after WWII, a violent internal conflict (the "Suki" or "Bitch Wars") erupted between traditional blatnoy and those who had cooperated with the state (often by serving in the Red Army) in exchange for leniency. The Prison Caste System

: Prisoners who openly collaborate with administration, often serving as workers or informants.

The symbolism and meanings behind . The evolution of Russian Chanson (Blatnyak) music. Untouchables in prison hierarchy | The Anarchist Library On Blatnoy

The blatnoy sit at the apex of a rigid, four-tiered social hierarchy common in many Eastern European prisons:

: The modern blatnoy identity solidified during the Soviet era, particularly within the Gulag system . : During and after WWII, a violent internal

: Originally, the blatnoy culture served as a form of resistance against prison authorities. A core tenet of the code was a complete refusal to cooperate with the state, which included refusing to work or take orders from camp administrations.

: The majority of the population; non-professional criminals who follow the rules to survive but do not hold authority. The evolution of Russian Chanson (Blatnyak) music

: The highest echelon; professional criminals who live by the code and do not work.