Eastern Promises challenges the view of hegemonic masculinity as a static, unified concept. By analyzing the behaviors of members of the Russian mafia, vory y zakone ("thieves"), particularly Kirill and Nikolai, this article will illustrate how masculinities are constructed, represented and reaffirmed in the context of the Russian mafia vory y zakone. . The article will begin by describing major trends in masculinity theory, proposing that vory and zakone are creating an oppositional masculinity. With this context in mind, it will be illustrated how men in vory y zakone are constructing and performing 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 as a demonstration of masculinity. Masculinity in the Context of the Russian Mafia Masculinity theory derives from the social constructionist view of gender, which argues that gender is not determined by biological sex but is an ongoing social practice (Gartner, 2012). Masculinity is never fully achieved and needs to be constantly practiced to be demonstrated and reaffirmed (Gartner, 2012). It is important to emphasize that men express their masculinity towards other men and not towards women. The ideal form of masculinity in Western society is hegemonic masculinity, which all men desire but which not all men in society can achieve. It is the “prevalent and most idealized form of masculinity in historical context and is always constructed in relation to various subordinate masculinities, as well as in relation to women” (Connell 1987). Those who fail to realize the ideal and hegemonic masculinity form other masculinities such as oppositional masculinity. The Russian mafia vory y...... middle of paper ......n In this essay it has been shown how masculinities are represented, created and reaffirmed in the context of the Russian mafia, vory y zakone. This oppositional subculture constructs its own form of oppositional masculinity, which employs many aspects of hegemonic masculinity and exists in opposition to women and homosexuality. Men who are members of the vory y zakone construct and express their masculinity through the following behaviors. They sexually degrade women by treating them like a commodity and assuming dominance over them. Violence is performed as a way to display masculinity, and how it is performed matters. Heterononormality is intertwined with masculinity, and it is important to engage in acts that reaffirm one's heterosexuality. Finally, tattoos also serve as a way for vory y zakone members to display their masculinity..