13 Russian TV series about the police: from Soviet classics to modern comedies.

“Streets of Broken Lanterns”, “Liquidation”, “Major” and much more.

This list includes series about both the police and the police. Because changing the name does not affect the profession itself.

13. Streets of broken lanterns

• Russia, 1998–2017.
• Crime, detective.
• Duration: 16 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 6.6.

The series tells about the everyday life of the Petrogradsky District Department of Internal Affairs of St. Petersburg. Employees and management investigate cases and resist the dominance of crime. But it turns out that even in such gloomy work there is a place for humor.

“Streets of Broken Lanterns” can easily be called one of the main Russian TV series of the late 90s . The first seasons were very fond of the audience and over time they became the subject of quotes. But after 2005, almost the entire cast of the series changed, and the project began to lose audience.

12. The investigation is being conducted by Experts

• USSR, 1971–1989.
• Detective, drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• KinoPoisk: 7.2.

Investigator Znamensky, criminal investigation inspector Tomin and forensic expert Kibrit (the word “Knowledgers” comes from their names) catch speculators and counterfeiters and even investigate murders. Their cooperation and friendship last for many years.

“The Investigation is Conducted by Experts” was created on the initiative of the USSR Minister of Internal Affairs in order to show the viewer the humane image of a policeman. In the series there are practically no shootouts with bandits or chases, and the work of the main characters is shown as it was in reality: long conversations and endless paperwork in the office.

11. Lethal force

• Russia, 2000–2005.
• Detective, comedy, drama.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 7.4.

Employees of the homicide department of one of the districts of St. Petersburg investigate all kinds of cases and even fight organized crime . The main characters Igor Plakhov and Vasily Rogov collaborate with Anatoly Dukalis, who is transferred to them for reinforcement.

The series began as a spin-off of Streets of Broken Lights, and was often criticized for the derivativeness of some ideas. But there are several important differences in “Deadly Force”: the project is filmed with higher quality, the plots look more diverse. And it was thanks to this series that many viewers recognized actor Konstantin Khabensky.

10. Site

• Russia, 2003.
• Comedy, crime.
• Duration: 1 season.
• KinoPoisk: 7.8.

The modest and efficient police lieutenant Pavel Kravtsov receives the post of district police officer in the quiet village of Anisovka. Of course, not much happens here, because all the locals know each other. Therefore, the policeman investigates the simplest cases.

This series is worth watching for those who are tired of stories about clashes between police and bandits. The main character, played by Sergei Bezrukov, always behaves politely, and he works in the atmosphere of a quiet village.

9. Capercaillie

• Russia, 2008–2011.
• Detective, comedy.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 7.9.

Investigator Sergei Glukharev serves in the Pyatnitsky internal affairs department. He is friends with district traffic police officer Denis Antoshin and meets with his boss Irina Zimina. The heroes have to work for low wages and in extremely cramped conditions. But they do not lose their presence of mind.

In addition to the three seasons of the main project, a full-length sequel, “Capercaillie in the Cinema,” was released, as well as several spin-offs: films in the “Department” series and the TV series “Pyatnitsky” and “Karpov.”

8. Born of revolution

• USSR, 1974–1977.
• Adventure, detective, historical.
• Duration: 1 season.
• KinoPoisk: 8.0.

In 1917, factory worker Nikolai Kondratyev goes to work in the criminal investigation department. Over the years, he manages to rise to the rank of lieutenant general and solve many crimes.

The action of the series stretches over years: it begins after the revolution and ends 50 years later. Thus, the plot shows not only the fate of the main character, but also important events in the life of the country.

7. Policeman from Rublyovka

• Russia, 2016–2020.
• Comedy, crime, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 8.0.

The first seasons of the series are dedicated to policeman Grigory Izmailov. He works in an elite area and often exceeds his authority. Later, the plot switches to his boss, Vladimir Yakovlev.

Over the years of production, the main characters and even the location of action have changed in this series about the police. And in parallel to the main project, several full-length films were released.

6. Cop wars

• Russia, 2005–2018.
• Detective, drama.
• Duration: 11 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 8.1.

Major Roman Shilov is appointed acting head of the criminal investigation department. In the first season, a man tries to catch a crime boss, but finds out that he is connected with the corrupt top of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate.

Unlike many long-running series , the main character here does not change throughout all 11 seasons. Although some viewers liked his partner, nicknamed Jackson, more. But he, alas, did not appear in the last season.

5. Method

• Russia, 2015–2021.
• Detective, thriller, crime.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 8.1.

Law graduate Yesenia Steklova is going on an internship with investigator Rodion Meglin. He identifies maniacs , trying to understand their way of thinking. In fact, the girl hopes that her mentor will help her find her parents' killer.

The first season of the series was directed by the famous Yuri Bykov. This plot seemed like a complete story. However, six years later, another director released a sequel, showing a very strange twist. The audience received the second season more coolly.

4. Sword

• Russia, 2009–2015.
• Detective, action movie.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 8.2.

Former commander of the airborne reconnaissance company Maxim Kalinin goes to work in the department for combating organized crime. But he soon realizes that all the bosses are connected with bandits and it is impossible to deal with crime legally. Then Kalinin creates the punitive group “Sword”, which will punish the villains on its own.

The main problem of this police project is the low budget. “Sword” cannot boast of coolly choreographed action and beautiful filming. But a significant part of the shortcomings is compensated by the boldness of the idea, which is unusual for Russian TV series.

3. Major

• Russia, 2014 - present.
• Detective, drama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• KinoPoisk: 8.3.

The son of an oligarch, Igor Sokolovsky, studied to be a lawyer, but had no intention of working. After a fight with a policeman, his father sends him to serve in the police department, where a new employee is not welcome. However, this service will change Igor's character.

The plot of the series cannot boast of particular originality, but “Major” instantly fell in love with the audience. And not only in our country: it became the first Russian project purchased by Netflix for showing.

2. Liquidation

• Russia, 2007.
• Detective, crime, military.
• Duration: 1 season.
• KinoPoisk: 8.5.

Post-war Odessa was filled with bandits and looters. The most dangerous among them are organized criminals who, under the leadership of the mysterious Academician, rob military warehouses. The witty lieutenant colonel of the criminal investigation department, David Markovich Gotsman, is trying to figure out the case.

In addition to the interesting detective story, “Liquidation” captivated viewers with an abundance of Odessa humor and catchphrases. They also contrast interestingly with the gloomy base.

1. The meeting place cannot be changed

• USSR, 1979.
• Crime, drama, detective.
• Duration: 5 episodes.
• KinoPoisk: 8.9.

Retired officer Vladimir Sharapov gets a job in the criminal investigation department after the war. He works under the leadership of Captain Zheglov, whose methods raise many questions for the newcomer. Together they have to catch the Black Cat gang of robbers.

Initially, the party leadership did not really want Vladimir Vysotsky to play the role of Zheglov. But director Stanislav Govorukhin cunningly achieved his appointment. And largely thanks to this actor, “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed” turned out to be so popular.

What Russian TV series about the police do you like?