Carjacking

History

2025

Reducing the number of car thefts in Moscow to 400 thanks to traffic cameras

At the end of 2025, the number of car thefts and thefts in Moscow decreased to 400 cases. For comparison, in 2012, 13 thousand such incidents were recorded. This was announced in March 2026 by the vice-mayor of Moscow Maxim Liksutov. According to him, the introduction and development of photo and video recording complexes contributed to a decrease in the number of car thefts. As of March 2026, 3,700 cameras operate in the capital, which monitor the situation around the clock using neural networks, recognize 67 types of violations and transmit data to law enforcement agencies.^[1]

The number of car thefts in Russia for the year decreased by 11.6% to 9487 cases

In 2025 Russia , 9487 cases of theft were recorded, that is, unlawful seizure of a car or other vehicle without the purpose of theft. This is 11.6% less than the previous year. The relevant data are contained in the report, MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS RUSSIAN FEDERATION which TAdviser was reviewed at the end of February 2026.

As noted, in the total mass of thefts, cases and materials about which were in production in 2025, 7211 episodes were disclosed, which is 17.3% lower compared to 2024.

According to the VSK Insurance House, in 2025, Moscow was in the lead in terms of the number of thefts with a share of 31%. Next come St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg: these cities accounted for 19% of incidents. The peak of crimes was noted in winter - in January, February and December: during these months, 58% of all thefts in Russia were committed at the end of 2025.

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Фото: Freepik

The share of Chinese brands in the overall structure of thefts has sharply increased: if in 2024 such vehicles accounted for about 1%, then in 2025 - 27%. Geely, Lixiang and Chery brands are popular with criminals. Premium car thefts accounted for 15% versus 26% in 2024. In general, the most stolen brands in 2025 were (by the number of insurance cases of VSK):

• Geely (15% of episodes, predominantly the Emgrand model);
• Kia (11%, mostly Kia Stinger liftback);
• Lada (8%, Granta);
• Hyundai (8%, Creta и Santa FE);
• Toyota (8%, Land Cruiser).

Among the most popular premium brands among hijackers are Lixiang (4%), Lexus (4%), Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover (3.5% each). There was also an increase in the number of cargo transport thefts - from 7.5% in 2024 to 8% in 2025. In this segment, criminals show significant interest in Chinese FAW machines (just under 4% of cases).^[2][3]

Reduction in the number of car thefts in Moscow from year to year

The number of car thefts and thefts in Moscow has been steadily declining for 13 years. In the first seven months of 2025, 274 cases were recorded, while in the same period of the previous year, 327 such atrocities occurred, and in 2012 - about 7.2 thousand. The corresponding data was published on September 15, 2025 by the Department of Transport and the Development of Road Transport Infrastructure of the city of Moscow.

As noted, in the period from 2012 to 2025, the number of vehicle thefts in the Russian capital decreased by 96%. A stable decrease in the number of such crimes is due to the introduction of modern photo and video recording complexes (FVF). Traffic cameras track geolocation, number and brand of passing cars. Then the neural network automatically checks the numbers with the search databases: if a stolen transport is detected, the system sends data in real time to a single database of driveways and sends a signal to law enforcement agencies. After that, law enforcement officers intercept the car.

As of 2025, about 3.8 thousand FVF complexes operate in Moscow - the same as in 2022-2024. At the same time, since 2012, when there were 0.5 thousand such installations, their number has increased by 660%. Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, notes that these cameras not only record traffic violations, but also provide great assistance in finding stolen cars.

Law enforcement agencies in real time receive information about the movements of missing cars, which makes it possible to quickly track them and stop them. In 13 years, the number of thefts has decreased by 96%. According to the task of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, we continue to monitor safety on the roads of the capital, - notes Liksutov.[4]

The production of smart systems "Balka" has been launched in Russia to identify wanted cars in the stream

In Russia, the production of intelligent systems "Balka" has been launched to identify cars on the wanted list. This became known on March 10, 2025. The complex is being developed by the Azimut production company, which is part of Rostec. The first batch of equipment has already been transferred to the road patrol service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in one of the regions of the country. The system is designed to automatically monitor traffic flow and detect wanted vehicles. Read more here.

2024: Reduction in the number of car thefts in Russia by 13% to 10,731 cases

In 2024, 10,731 cases of car theft were registered in Russia - this is 13% less than in the previous year. Such data are contained in the report of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, which TAdviser got acquainted with in early March 2025.

The published materials say that in 2024, in addition to thefts, 3046 car thefts were recorded. According to this indicator, there was a decrease of 19.5% compared to 2023.

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Фото: Freepik

Theft means unlawful seizure of a car or other vehicle without the purpose of theft. Theft is a theft of a car committed for a selfish purpose related to the appropriation of property owned by another person - for example, for resale.

In 2024, out of the number of crimes, cases and materials about which were in production, 8723 thefts and 1375 thefts were disclosed. According to these indicators, there was a decrease of 17.7% and 26.5% on an annualized basis, respectively.

In total, in 2024, 6,107 thefts of vehicles of all types were registered - this is 11% less than a year earlier. Of such crimes, cases and materials about which were in production, 2657 cases were solved, which is 18.4% less on an annualized basis. In public places and on the streets, as well as on roads, highways outside settlements in 2024, 3345 thefts of vehicles of all types were registered - 13.4% less than a year earlier. 1572 such acts were previously investigated (minus 21.4% year-on-year).

According to the company, in AlfaStrakhovanie 2024, the theft was most often reported by car owners Lada Hyundai,,,,. Kia Toyota Mercedes-Benz Among Chinese models, hijackers are the most popular, and Faw Geely Chery Hongyan. Brief^[5]

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