R Syndicate (WF)

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R Syndicate
Part of Prime Earth's history
General Information
Abbreviations	RS
Former names	QuickSolve Monetary Organization
Other names	Raskolnikov's Syndicate
Type	Criminal enterprise/organization
Status	Defunct
Headquarters	Moscow, Russian Federation
Established at	July 6, 2016
Founder	Artem Lebedev
Disestablished at	December 22, 2020
Key locations	Russia Europe
Notable members	Nikolai Volkov Vladislav Vukovic
Leadership
Leader	Artem Lebedev
Second-in-Command	Vladislav Vukovic
Economical information
Means of revenue	Drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, fraud, extortion, organized killings, racketeering
Additional information
Number of members	14,000 (2020)

The R Syndicate (RS) was a large criminal enterprise owned by Artem Lebedev. The majority of its activities took place in Russia, with some activities taking place in post-Soviet countries. It was established on July 6, 2016, and abolished on December 22, 2020, after the organization failed to reach a peaceful resolution to an internal dispute.

R Syndicate's main criminal activities were drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, illegal weapons manufacturing, extortion, and racketeering. During 2019 and 2020, R Syndicate was considered to be the single largest criminal organization active in Russia. Lebedev had many connections within the Russian government and law enforcement. Through these connections, Lebedev easily obtained weapons from the Russian military. The organization was largely decentralized, with independent cells operating in different cities throughout the country. The largest cell was based in Moscow.

The organization mostly operated in the shadows, avoiding direct confrontation and conflict with other organizations. Nevertheless, there were some major conflicts, such as the war war with Northway Faction and the 2018 Saint Petersburg gang crisis. There have also been attempts by Boreas Research Facility to eradicate the Syndicate's presence in northern Russia.

Etymology

The name of the organization is short for Raskolnikov's Syndicate, which is the name of the protagonist in Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel «Crime and Punishment». Lebedev reportedly chose this name because of his interest in Russian literature. Some members of the organization, including Vukovic, did not know about the origins of the name until late 2019.

History

Background

Before 2016, Artem was considered a fairly wealthy businessman in Russia. He had several businesses in the oil refining, mining, and automotive industries. Lebedev also had many holdings in foreign companies such as Newmont Mining, Spectra Energy, NVIDIA, and Halliburton. Due to his wealth, Lebedev amassed a vast amount of connections in the Russian government, law enforcement, military, and private sector. Vladislav Vukovic was one of his closest allies, acting as the Chief Operating Officer in his companies.

On April 12, 2016, Lebedev was suddenly charged with multiple counts of tax evasion, tax fraud, money laundering, and concealment of income. The Russian government gave Lebedev a choice: sell his company to a government-affiliated banker or serve a 16-year prison sentence. Lebedev knew that this was an illegal government takeover. Despite his attempts at using his connections, Lebedev had to sell his company to avoid prison time.

After selling his company, Lebedev was left with almost nothing. His savings dwindled rapidly with each passing month. He was also unable to make many of his loan payments, which resulted in the banks taking his car and apartment in central Moscow. With nowhere to go, he started using his connections to enter the criminal underworld.

Establishment

On July 6, 2016, Lebedev, together with Vukovic, founded the R Syndicate. Initially, the R Syndicate was offering loans with extremely low interest rates under the front of «QuickSolve Monetary Organization». These low interest rates were accompanied by constant harassment by debt collectors, threats of extreme physical harm, and other illegal practices. The organization then started stealing money from clients who couldn't pay their debts. These clients were unable to report the crimes to the police because of Lebedev's connections in law enforcement.

In late 2016, the R Syndicate expanded its business to include drug trafficking. Vukovic developed relationships with many drug dealers and suppliers throughout Russia. The R Syndicate began trafficking cocaine, LSD, and methamphetamine. Lebedev wanted to expand the organization to the West. Using his connections, the R Syndicate began to slowly move toward St. Petersburg.

The R Syndicate continued to expand until early 2018. During this time, the organization began dealing weapons. Some of these weapons have even been shipped overseas to various rebel groups in Africa. The organization controlled almost all parts of Moscow, preventing other criminal enterprises from operating there. The R Syndicate's drug operation was the most profitable part of the business. The organization was earning about 17 million rubles a month by selling drugs.

2018 crisis

Main article: 2018 Saint Petersburg gang crisis (WF)

By early 2018, R Syndicate reached Saint Petersburg. The organization started setting up business there, when they were suddenly attacked by an NTT gang. This gang killed approximately 18 members of the R Syndicate and stole a large shipment of drugs and weapons. This enraged Lebedev, which resulted in him personally declaring war on the NTT gangs of St. Petersburg.

This war lasted until the end of 2018, with the R Syndicate eliminating about 80% of NTT gangs in St. Petersburg. After eliminating its main rival in the West, the R Syndicate began to expand its business there.

Constant expansion

Lebedev's desire for more money and power led the organization to expand into Europe. The organization started small in Estonia and Latvia, establishing a small drug trafficking operation there. The R Syndicate was also slowly building up small connections in Germany and France. Vukovic was responsible for operations in Russia.

In October, R Syndicate was waging a war with Northway Faction, a growing criminal organization in Moscow. This war was a result of the NTF attacking the organization's safehouses for weapons. The war ended on November 26, 2018, when Lebedev signed a ceasefire and peaceful coexistence treaty with Nikolai Volkov.

In the summer of 2019, Boreas Research Facility, with the help from Group C17 contractors, tried to eradicate the Syndicate's presence in northern Russia. This attempt was largely successful, as the Syndicate lost about 75% of its assets in the region. Vukovic was deeply angered by this action, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Until the end of 2020, the organization continued to operate and grow in Russia and Europe. Lebedev regained his wealth and began to live a luxurious life again. Vukovic also joined his ally, vacationing in various hot and sunny countries. R Syndicate gained the title of the single most powerful criminal organization in Russia.

Leadership crisis and dissolution

Main article: R Syndicate leadership crisis (WF)

On November 13, 2020, Lebedev and Vukovic had a major disagreement. Lebedev wanted to move most of R Syndicate's business to Europe, while Vukovic wanted to stay in Russia. Lebedev explained that moving the business to Europe will provide an opportunity to make even more money. Vukovic did not agree with this and said that there would be huge risks in moving to Europe.

Tensions between the two leaders continued to rise until December 22, 2020, when Lebedev and Vukovic finally parted ways, effectively disbanding the R Syndicate. Lebedev moved to Europe, specifically Switzerland, while Vukovic stayed in Moscow and started a legitimate business. Most former members of the organization joined other criminal organizations, including the United Northway Refugees. Almost all assets of the Syndicate were later absorbed by the Russian government.