The Bitch Wars

The Bitch Wars ("Suchyi Voyny") is a massive, ongoing conflict between the Bratva and the Mafiya, starting in the Soviet labor camp system, and extending outward until it had consumed all of the Soviet Union. The origins are in the ideals of the two groups: the Bratva, formerly holding monopoly over Slavic crime, is traditionalist - their codes and traditions date back all the way to the time of the Tsar, and are strict and unwavering in terms of what they allow and do not. The Mafiya, meanwhile, are those who seek gain and glory through modern methods; a "dog-eat-dog" competition to the top, where rules are secondary and alliances only for the moment.

While the Mafiya hold the advantage in terms of numbers, the Bratva is far more unified and disciplined, making the Bitch Wars a conflict of quantity against quality. Both sides are about evenly matched - there is no clear winner, or end in sight.

America has been relatively exempt from the Bitch Wars - although several Mafiya existed before the rise of Red October and subsequently the Americanization of Oktyabrya, the Bratva was quick to crush them in a series of bloody and quick 'shock and awe' attacks; accordingly, the American Mafiya have shrunk back into the shadows and are more a thorn in Oktyabrya's side than a legitimate threat.