To protect themselves and each other, the four friends form a "brigada" (a crew). They engage in racketeering, eventually expanding into large-scale illegal businesses, weapon smuggling, and international drug trafficking.
In a shocking climax, a mole within Sasha's security— Max Karelsky —betrays the group. Following Kaverin's orders, Max kills Cosmos, Pchela, and Phil.
The series is a sweeping "gangster saga" that tracks the lives of four childhood friends—, Cosmos , Pchela , and Phil —as they rise from local petty thugs to powerful mafia figures between 1989 and 2000. The Core Story of "Brigada"
As the 90s progress, Sasha attempts to "legalize" his business and even runs for a seat in the State Duma to gain political immunity. However, his past and his enemies refuse to let him go.
Sasha Belov (Sasha Bely) returns from the army to find his hometown transformed by the early shifts of the post-Soviet era. Wikipedia notes that after a personal conflict with a local criminal named Mukha, Sasha and his three friends are accidentally pulled into the underworld.