This newspaper article by Orenburg police investigator Igor Moiseev describes how the native Russian Mormon sect has become a powerful business syndicate, that Orenburg Mormons descend from the “old original Mormons” and still hold to some religious principles. I have also provided an English translation of the relevant paragraphs below:

“The Mormons are one of the most influential criminal associations in Orenburg today. They originated from the old actual Mormons who, like the Molokans, were at one time in disfavor with the regime, being driven and scattered for their beliefs all across the Russian countryside. In Russia today there are three large centers of Mormon population: the Samara region, Birobidzhan and Orenburg. Outwardly the Mormons are no different from other Russians; their surnames are quite typically Russian. People say that the Mormon banditi still adhere to the old faith too, observing fasts and avoiding situations that would lead to sinful compromise (all of which does not prevent them in the least from shooting up their competitors).

“The area of Orenburg inhabited by the Mormons is appropriately called Mormonovka. It is sharply distinguished against the profile of other urban blocks, by the cleanliness, order, and well-tended appearance of the houses.

“In illegal business operations the Mormons have had a jump start on everyone else, establishing an excellent basis for their future power. The Mormons have historically found their way into many of the leading posts of industry and commerce in the city. They have also established strong support in the local power structures of Orenburg. The local management of GazProm, for example, has consisted exclusively of Mormons. In Orenburg it is said that “when you see one Mormon, you can expect a Mormon invasion.”

“As early as the 1970’s many Mormons involved in finance and industry began to delve into the more illegal aspects of business. They leased refrigeration trailers, purchasing meat at local state farms and selling it at a profit to Tatars, Bashkirs, and Udmurts. This proved enormously profitable. The first upper-end housing appeared in Mormonovka long before Perestroika. The Mormons were also the first to begin purchasing Volgas, “Niner” automobiles and other expensive foreign-produced brands.

“Beginning with Perestroika, when organized crime began to acquire considerable power in the region, the previously peaceful Mormons found it necessary to protect their hard-earned capital. From their midst gangsters were recruited. A multitude of mafia brigades grew and strengthened, from neighborhoods like “Shanghai”, “Stepnoe”, and the 23rd Block.

“Compared to other crime rings, the Mormons are distinguished by their rigid discipline and strict group solidarity, similar to the Italian mafia. At a moment’s notice they can muster more than five hundred men at arms for any type of job. But if caught and interrogated by the police, they keep silent and, like fish, realize that among the Mormons “a long tongue is the fastest way to the cemetery”.

“During the undivided reign of Babnishchev only the Mormons were able to defend their sovereignty. Though they had more than sufficient reason to launch an all-out gangster war, the Mormons (who are inextricably tied up with oil and gas interests) conducted themselves quite reasonably. They offered a compromise and sacrificed a part of their interests (which truth be told did little to weaken their financial might). After the death of Babnishchev any real competition against the Mormons had disappeared from the city. However, during all of this the Mormons had the presence of mind not to bite at any of the more tempting morsels available at the time. Their leaders quickly understood that grabbing a piece of the pie would only instigate gangster warfare, and declined to join in the dance of death.”