In August 2020, the officially designated A.Y.E. as an extremist organization .
This ruling banned the movement entirely within the Russian Federation. Membership, the display of A.Y.E. symbols (including the star in certain contexts), or the promotion of its slogans can lead to criminal prosecution and significant prison sentences.
Unlike traditional prison gangs, A.Y.E. heavily targets teenagers and young adults , particularly those in underprivileged areas, orphanages, or correctional facilities.
Together, these slogans serve as a greeting, a battle cry, and an identification mark for members of a youth subculture that glorifies the lifestyle, "philosophy," and aesthetic of the Russian criminal underworld ( Vorovskoy Mir ).