Eastern promises challenge the view of hegemonic masculinity as a static, unified concept. By analyzing the behaviors of members of the Russian mafia, vory y zakone (“thieves of law”), in particular Kirill and Nikolai, this article will illustrate how masculinities are constructed, implemented and reaffirmed in the context of the Russian mafia vory y zakone. . The article will begin by describing the main trends in masculinity theory, proposing that vory y zakone create oppositional masculinity. With this context in mind, we will illustrate how vory y zakone men construct and exercise their masculinity through the degradation of women, more specifically sexual and verbal abuse, through the use of violence and heteronormativity . Finally, it will be illustrated how tattoos also serve to display masculinity. Masculinities in the Context of the Russian Mafia Masculinities theory stems from the social constructionist view of gender, which maintains that gender is not determined by biological sex but is an ongoing social practice (Gartner, 2012). Masculinity is never fully achieved and must be constantly enacted in order to be proven and reaffirmed (Gartner, 2012). It is important to note that men exercise their masculinity with other men and not women. The ideal form of masculinity in Western society is hegemonic masculinity, which all men desire but not all men in society can achieve. It is “the dominant and most idealized form of masculinity in the historical context and is always constructed in relation to various subordinate masculinities, as well as in relation to women” (Connell 1987). Those who cannot realize the ideal, hegemonic masculinity, form other masculinities such as oppositional masculinity. The Russian mafia vory y...... middle of article ......n In this essay it has been shown how masculinities are implemented, created and reaffirmed in the context of the Russian mafia, vory y zakone. This oppositional subculture constructs its oppositional form of masculinity, which employs many aspects of hegemonic masculinity and exists in opposition to women and homosexuality. Male members of the vory y zakone construct and exercise their masculinity through the following behaviors. They sexually degrade women by treating them like a commodity and assuming dominance over them. Violence is carried out as a means of displaying masculinity and the manner in which violence is carried out is important. Heteronormality is closely linked to masculinity and it is important to engage in acts that reaffirm one's heterosexuality. Finally, tattoos also allow members of the vory y zakone to display their masculinity..