The investigation was conducted

Season 5

The documentary series investigates the USSR's most sensational criminal cases. Host Leonid Kanevskiy guides viewers through the intricate details of each investigation. Beyond the crimes themselves, the series provides a unique glimpse into Soviet society through narratives of daily life during that period. The series covers the entire Soviet era, from 1917 to 1991.

Where to Watch The investigation was conducted • Season 5

32 Episodes

Кунгурский монстр
E1
Кунгурский монстрConvicted loader-expeditor Nikolai Gridyagin raped women and killed one in Kungur 1982-1983, using an eye-slit mask; arrested preparing another crime in 1983.
Дело «шакалов»
E2
Дело «шакалов»Gang 'The Jackals' led by convicted locksmith Viktor Mozhaev killed a policeman during Alma-Ata sanatorium raid in 1983, later robbed/killed cashiers; arrested years later.
Медовая ловушка
E3
Медовая ловушкаGang posing as KGB agents, using girls as bait, robbed foreign tourists/wealthy citizens in Moscow 1979; leader speculator Vladimir Vinogradov arrested during robbery.
Иван-Потрошитель
E4
Иван-ПотрошительPolymer research institute foreman Ivan Davydov murdered two female cashiers in Dzerzhinsk 1975 and other women; once cleared due to good reputation.
Доктор «Смерть»
E5
Доктор «Смерть»Surgeon Denis Nikiforov poisoned and froze to death victims lured by car rides near Kolomna winter 1979; sought money for wife's treatment.
Лихоманки
E6
ЛихоманкиGang led by recidivist Igor Kolchin robbed and murdered taxi drivers/passengers in Chelyabinsk spring 1989; arrested after attacking traffic cops, 15 killed.
Принцесса из детдома
E7
Принцесса из детдомаGang kidnapped/murdered orphan Olya Smolnova in Moscow 1984, mistaking her for wealthy twin; caught trying to kidnap the real heiress.
«Бригада»
E8
«Бригада»Gang led by recidivist Sergei Sorokin murdered a bodyguard near Kazakh leader Kunaev's Alma-Ata home in 1987, later robbed/murdered homeowners; arrested after killing cops.
Враг государства
E9
Враг государстваConvicted surgeon Vasily Nikitenkov planted homemade bombs killing/maiming in Klin 1976-1979; hated Soviet regime.
Челюсти
E10
ЧелюстиBus driver Vladimir Sarenpya raped/murdered young women, biting victims in Aleksandrov 1975-1976; caught after second victim complained about him.
Скопцы
E11
СкопцыSkoptsy sect led by recidivist Sergei Savchenko castrated/killed male members and kidnapped a woman near Staritsa winter 1967; sect members were victims.
Проклятый дом
E12
Проклятый домMilitary med student Boris Evert murdered his sister Larisa and parents in Vyritsa (Leningrad region) August 1969; sought family property.
Восставший из ада
E13
Восставший из адаConvicted pedophile Alexander Lukashov robbed/brutalized women in Yaroslavl stairwells December 1983; released early as terminally ill (TB) but cured.
Обольститель
E14
ОбольстительBoris Kotlyar strangled his ballerina wife Lyudmila during infidelity quarrel in Leningrad June 1970, dismembered her, dumped in Dnieper.
Семейные тайны
E15
Семейные тайныViktor Vesvalo murdered four relatives, the Pelganen family, in their Leningrad flat October 1975; killed witnesses after initial murder.
«Бешеного» уничтожить!
E16
«Бешеного» уничтожить!Convicted rapist Anatoly 'Rabid' Nagiev murdered six women including four on Moscow-Kharkov train July 1980.
Украденные дети
E17
Украденные детиFather organized kidnapping of his own sons in Gorky July 1989 for ransom; murdered one son, mother arrested buying gun per his plan.
Шерше ля фам!
E18
Шерше ля фам!Gang of 13 led by unemployed 'stilyagi' Anatoly Orlov/Vladimir Chernov murdered a Navy lieutenant and robbed men lured by girls in Leningrad July 1958.
Экипаж
E19
ЭкипажAWOL soldiers Nikolai Matsnev, Sergei Yagmurdzhi, Alexander Konoval murdered cops, hijacked Tu-134 in Ufa September 1986; Matsnev killed, others arrested during storming.
Часы с кремлевским боем
E20
Часы с кремлевским боемDisabled self-taught Ivan Skosarev murdered elderly men in Moscow late 1970s using homemade clock-gun; survivor (KGB agent) traced him.
Превзойти Чикатило!
E21
Превзойти Чикатило!Ex-forensic expert Sergey Tkach murdered minors (mostly girls) in Pavlograd from 1984; arrested after killing in Polohy 2005, confessed to 80+ murders.
Чудовище с детским лицом
E22
Чудовище с детским лицомCarpenter Alexander Pozdnyakov raped/murdered women in red and girls in Noginsk 1985-1989; described as teen; 35+ crimes by arrest.
«Заслуженный» мучитель
E23
«Заслуженный» мучительFrom 1964 to 1985 in Nevinnomyssk, award-winning teacher Anatoly Slivko lured teen boys to woods posing as experiments, filming murders; 7 dead uncovered after a teen's tip exposed his tourist club horrors.
Влюбленный дезертир
E24
Влюбленный дезертирAWOL soldier Nikolai Stepanov suspected of ex-girlfriend Anna Svechkina's murder Zagorsk September 1991; suicide after arrest.
«Сердцеед»
E25
«Сердцеед»Recidivist Sergey 'Chervonets' Maduev robbed/killed across USSR 1989-1990; seduced investigator Natalya Vorontsova, attempted escape 1991.
Жулик и певичка
E26
Жулик и певичкаUnemployed swindler Dmitry Zolotarevsky married cabaret singer Bella Kaplan, committed bold frauds across USSR from Moscow 1928; vanished 1960s.
Маленькие ангелы
E27
Маленькие ангелыIn 1987, two boys were found strangled by suspenders in forest near Kurchatov (Kursk region). The investigation revealed who's victims they had been and who's desire to get rid of unnecessary burdens and to arrange personal life led to disaster.
Формула мести
E28
Формула местиHospital cleaner Valentina Korolenko poisoned doctors/nurse with strychnine in Moscow 1987; revenge for adopted child's death by medical error.
Зверьё
E29
ЗверьёGang led by convicted jeweler Sergei Nokhrin murdered homeowners during robberies in Leningrad region spring 1981; aided by Avelyev brothers.
Король джунглей
E30
Король джунглейConvicted killer Gennady Ivanov murdered/raped/robbed in Gorky's Avtozavodsky district post-1980 Olympics; arrested after attack in Vurnary.
Львиная лапа
E31
Львиная лапаBaku gang led by 'Pandzhali Aslan' ('Lion's Paw') committed daring robberies late 1950s; leader (a woman disguised as man) arrested Moscow 1966.
Джентльмены неудачи
E32
Джентльмены неудачиPhotographer Evgeny Khavatov and convict brother-in-law Nikolai Dronov robbed a Moscow flat late 1974; sought money for Khavatov's daughter's heart surgery.