You will learn about the presence of far-right, neo-Nazi and ultras groups in the Russian army. The article analyzes how the ideology of neo-Nazism and the far right affects the motivation and actions of Russian military groups on the territory of Ukraine. The facts regarding the cooperation of these groups with the Russian authorities, their participation in military operations and their influence on the socio-political situation in Russia and beyond are also revealed.
“Espanyola” is a Russian military formation that joined the invasion of Ukraine in the second half of 2024 under the name of the 88th reconnaissance and sabotage brigade. The composition of this unit is mainly made up of football ultras, some of whom adhere to neo-Nazi ideas. The unit received the name “Espanyola” in honor of its founder – Stanislav Orlov, known by the nickname “The Spaniard”.
Stanislav Orlov used to be a football ultras player and took part in hostilities in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Thanks to his knowledge of foreign languages, he received the nickname “Spaniard”. Then Orlov fought under the command of Igor Bezler, and later formed his own reconnaissance unit called “Skull and Bones”, which participated in the battles near Horlivka and Debaltseve.
“Espanyola” is based on the “Vostok” brigade, which was created in 2014 by Oleksandr Khodakovsky, the former head of the “Alfa” special unit of the SBU in the Donetsk region, who defected to the separatists. In March 2023, representatives of “Espanyola” announced the termination of cooperation with the “Vostok” battalion.
After the end of cooperation with the “Vostok” battalion, recruitment and financing for “Espanyola” is carried out through the private military company “Redut”. According to the investigation, the main curator of “Reduta” is the first deputy head of the GRU of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Volodymyr Alekseev, known for his participation in negotiations with Yevgeny Prigozhin during the short-lived “Wagner” rebellion in June 2023. Alekseev is the chief curator of all the units, which the Ministry of Defense of Russia calls “volunteer”, in particular the various “Reduta” detachments. In a joint investigation by The Insider and Spiegel, Alekseev is also mentioned as the initiator of the creation of Redoubt.
According to sources, Redoubt began to be formed shortly before the start of the war in the fall of 2021, and the first mentions of it date from the beginning of December 2021.
Alekseev is also known for his participation in the operations of the Russian special services abroad. During the Syrian intervention, he commanded military intelligence, involved in the interference in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as the organization of the storage, transportation and use of the poisonous substance “Novichok” in Salisbury on March 4, 2018.
Stanislav Orlov, known as “The Spaniard”, is suspected of attempting a coup in Montenegro. It is known that Orlov arrived in Montenegro on September 30, 2016, and according to the local prosecutor’s office, the prime minister’s assassination was planned for October 16, 2016. The nature of the task could indicate a connection with the GRU, in particular with Alekseev, who oversees similar operations.
Alekseev’s relationship with “Espanyola” is open: the unit publicly congratulates him on his birthday and thanks him for “carte blanche for self-realization.” Also, Alekseev personally presented awards to the fighters of “Espanyola”, in particular to the commander of the motorcycle unit “Pitbull” Mykhailo Turkanov. The last award took place on October 9, 2024, when the fighter “Raspisnoi” received the award, presumably in the occupied territories.
On September 30, 2024, the 88th Brigade “Espanyola” announced in its Telegram channel the launch of a secure bot developed jointly with Russian military intelligence. This bot allows individuals in Ukraine to transmit important information for a fee. In addition, through it, servicemen of the Armed Forces can surrender with a guarantee of safety.
According to the Russian edition “Vazhnye istorii”, the formation of “Espanyola” has connections with the entourage of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, in particular with the brothers Arkady and Boris Rotenberg. One of the sponsors of “Espanyola” is called the head of the security service of RZD, the monopoly Russian railway company, Viktor Shendrik.
In addition, Ukrainian intelligence reported that the party “United Russia” created its own private military formation – “Espanyola”.
Symbolics
Espanyol itself claims that by 2023-2024, the number of armed fighters in the unit will reach 550 people, including 100 drone operators. The latest data, mostly from the brigade’s official Telegram channel, indicate that the number of “Espanyola” is approximately 1.5-2 thousand people, among whom there are assault squads, sniper teams, medical teams, UAV units, EW, as well as a canine service. According to a statement dated September 19, 2024, the unit lost 19 fighters in more than two years of participation in the “SVO”.
“Espanyola” attracts new members mainly from among football fans. The basis of this formation consists of ultras from fan clubs, in particular Shakhtar Donetsk, as well as CSKA Moscow, Spartak, Lokomotiv, Torpedo, St. Petersburg Zenit, Yekaterinburg Ural, Yaroslavl Shinnyk, Nizhny Novgorod Pari “, Krasnodar “Kubani”, Ramen “Saturn”, Simferopol “Tavria”, “Orla”, “Rostov” and others.
Some of the members of “Espanyola” profess neo-Nazi views. Some of them have a tattoo with a swastika, a wheel symbol or the number 14/88. It is known that one of the fighters, Mykhailo “Pitbull” Turkanov, was convicted for displaying Nazi symbols. At the end of December 2022, the presenter of “Channel One”, who was working on the material about “Espanyola”, published in Telegram a photo of a bed in the location of the unit, on which stickers of fan groups with slogans were visible. “Everyone will be killed, everything will be taken away”, “Forward, hussars, fuck and cut”, the SS emblem on the sticker of the CSKA fan organization.
Espanyol’s team includes foreigners from various countries, including Serbia, Cuba, the USA and Spain. Among the famous fighters: Serbian Aleksandar Jokic (“Cornet”), the head of the medical service with the call sign “Cuban” (Daniel Lemus-Gonzalez), media propagandist “Teddy” and American Gregory Wayne Rossell, Jr.
After the June mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner PMC, in 2023, some of his fighters joined Espanyol. Then “Espanyola” openly opposed the mutiny, calling on the “Wagners” to join their unit. Such a position may indicate that “Espanyola” is under the control of Russian power structures.
Also, among the personnel of “Espanyola” there are representatives of the “Union of Donbas Volunteers” and Russian Cossack formations.
As mentioned, the number of “Espanyola” is approximately 1.5-2 thousand people. The formation includes:
Among the assault units of “Espanyola”, the motorcycle battalion “Gang Pete” under the leadership of “Pitbull”, as well as the detachments “Rus” and “Tretya Sturmova” stand out. The commanders of these units independently develop plans for combat operations, using the resources of the “Melody” information and analytical center as a back office for coordination.
“Espanyola” is the first Russian brigade to involve women in assault units. Women also serve in medical units, communications units, UAVs, EMS and REP.
The Melody Information and Analytical Center collects and processes intelligence data, working with a variety of sources, from OSINT to local pro-Russian informants. It provides coordination between the various branches of the military and engages volunteer units as needed. The center is headed by a militant with the call sign “Topaz” — Yevhenii Rasskazov, a native of Makiyivka, known for his brutal actions in the “DSHRG Rusych” in Donbas.
The Espanyol UAV training and combat center was officially established in May 2023. Inside the center, there is a scientific and technical department, which is engaged in the analysis of trophies and the improvement of drones. Under Petrovych’s leadership, the center developed several models, including the Kikimora and the PRIVET-82 UAV, a joint project with the Oko design bureau.
All UAVs of the 88th brigade are united in a single flying battalion “Doves of Peace”, which includes reconnaissance and strike groups “Eskadron”, “Owls”, “Ursa”, “Mirage” and squadrons “Orlan-10”, Zala and SuperCam.
The brigade includes a company of snipers, one of whose groups consists entirely of women armed with Lobaev sniper rifles.
Espanyol’s armament includes light armored vehicles (BMP and APC), a division or battery of 152-mm howitzers, and an anti-aircraft unit.
A training school for FPV drone operators operates on the basis of the brigade. “Espanyola” has significant means for radio-electronic warfare and intelligence (EW and PER).
The Espanyol Brigade is recruiting for various positions, including scouts-saboteurs, snipers, drone operators, EW, anti-aircraft, ATGM specialists, signalmen, driver mechanics, doctors, attack aircraft, etc. Candidates are required to pass physical standards. It is also stated that at the time of passing the standards and preparation, it is allowed to use only Android-based smartphones, which should not have any Meta applications – Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp.
Regarding the legal aspects: after signing the contract, the fighters receive the status of a volunteer, which, starting from May 2023, gives the right to receive the status of a combat veteran. Candidates with a criminal record can enter into a contract, but persons who have a valid contract with the Ministry of Defense of Russia or are mobilized are prohibited from joining Espanyol. The contract is concluded with the private military company “Redut”.
“Espanyola” is a Russian military formation that acts under the guise of a volunteer unit, but in fact involves criminals in combat operations to wage a brutal war against Ukraine. The basis of the unit is football ultras, neo-Nazis and supporters of the ideology of white supremacy, and their activities are actively supported by Russian oligarchs and the GRU. “Espanyola” also plays an important role in Russian propaganda, forming the image of a successful military unit as an alternative to PVK “Wagner”.
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