Mad men

Vasiliy, 50, has spent 22 years behind bars. He killed his stepfather and also three men who had raped his wife.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

Sergey, or Wild Boar, 33, at a picnic. ‘I used to be 100% gangster,’ he told photographer Bruce Gilden. ‘Now less than 100.’
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

At the same picnic.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

Alexey, 38 – 'I gave up all crime… I go to church every Sunday. I sing in the chorus.' Photograph: /Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

Alexey, 29, has given up the criminal life. ‘Now I’m honest,’ he says.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

Sergey in a sauna with Anatoliy and his wife.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

Sergey fighting with Dmitriy, 28, a ­police colonel.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

A tattoo on Alexey's foot.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

Sergey with his wife, Julia, a nurse. He has spent 14 years in prison and doesn’t want to go back, so is giving up the gangster life.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos

Sergey throws a drunk to the ground.
Photograph: Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos