I have a cite in the source report, and it's sad to see the top comments here being off-hand dismissals. A few things that really stood out from the study: -

I have a cite in the source report, and it's sad to see the top comments here being off-hand dismissals. A few things that really stood out from the study: - This is now the primary way drugs are bought and sold in Russia. Crypto and darknet markets have always been a bit niche in the West, but it's really taken off here. No definitive answer as to why, but high-risk, low-trust, poor-post is a decent hypothesis. - The markets are massive business, which do publicity stunts (e.g., dumping a bus with their logo in the middle of central Moscow)[1] and digital marketing, check out "moriati" on YouTube.[1] - There are two basic jobs in the lower ranks: kladmen and cooks. Both often involve taking out debt and getting the shit kicked out of you when you don't pay (not so different here, I guess). This is particularly interesting, because darknet markets had been previously seen as safer means of exchange as in-person contact is reduced. - Different categories of drugs are thriving in the context of broken supply chains stemming from conflict between Russia and the West. Forget krokodil, this is an Alpha PVP and Mephodrone scene, as they've got precursors that are readily available in Russia. Loads in this report. I read a lot of shit, lazy work on Russia and this is the good stuff. Well worth a read. [0] https://www.vice.com/en/article/russia-darknet-market-wars/ https://www.vice.com/en/article/russia-darknet-market-wars/ [1] https://www.youtube.com/@moriartymega https://www.youtube.com/@moriartymega