Vladimir Putin has recruited a group of football fans to wage his bloody war in Ukraine – in what many will see as another sign of the weakness of his armed forces.
Just four years ago, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, the Russian leader publicly condemned the actions of “soccer hooligans” and vowed to ban the notorious group.
And yet the men are now fighting for Putin as part of the paramilitary forces of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, which the Kremlin illegally annexed.
The fighters are made up entirely of ultra-fans who were once known for fighting on the stands of Russian and European stadiums.
Their main mascot is a male lion, which they “found” during the fighting in Mariupol, but they also have an adopted dog.
They put aside their footballing allegiance and claim to work as a cohesive entity ready to die for Russia on the front lines.
The unit’s commander is Orlov, 41, who joined the Separatists in 2014 when he was head of the reconnaissance company Skull & Bones
Vladimir Putin has enlisted a mob of football fans to fight his bloody war in Ukraine – in what many will see as another sign of the weakness of his armed forces
Stanislav “Spanish” Orlov, 41, leader of the group, with their primary mascot, a male lion they “found” in Mariupol
Just four years ago, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, the Russian leader publicly condemned the actions of “soccer hooligans” and vowed to ban the notorious group.
Many will see his recruitment of “thugs” as a sign of his forces’ weakness, not strength.
The unit’s commander is Stanislav “Spaniard” Orlov (41), who joined the Separatists in 2014 as head of the reconnaissance firm Skull & Bones.
The hooligan unit – known as Espanola and part of the Vostok battalion – includes recruits from supporters of clubs such as CSKA, Zenit, Spartak, Torpedo and Lokomotiv who are fighting against the Ukrainians, as well as the notorious Orel butchers.
A member reportedly told local media: “Hooligans used to be hooligans… And now we have agreed that we will not rock the boat in Russia and we have moved all the hooligans to the front lines.
“You can blow up a tank for Russia… If you are loyal to your club, you are loyal to your country. It’s not scary to die for your idea, it’s scary to live a useless life.
“It is not the worst option of death. And when that happens, the dying gun in hand is a reward.”
Many will see his recruitment of “thugs” as a sign of his forces’ weakness, not strength
The hooligan unit – known as Espanola and part of the Vostok battalion – includes recruits from supporters of clubs such as CSKA, Zenit, Spartak, Torpedo and Lokomotiv who are fighting against the Ukrainians, as well as the notorious Orel butchers.
They put aside their footballing allegiance and claim to work as a cohesive entity ready to die for Russia on the front lines
The fighters are made up entirely of ultra-fans who were once known for fighting on the stands of Russian and European stadiums. They put aside their football allegiance and claim to function as a cohesive entity
“Disputes between supporters of different clubs are forbidden,” Orlov told local media. “All these things have to stay out there somewhere, far away, like alcohol.”
The gangsters have lost one fighter in the war so far, he said.
CSKA Moscow fan Maxim Shmanin, 44, received a hero’s send-off at his funeral last month.
“The motivation to stay and fight just increased,” Orlov said. “The combat part of the department consists of people who have military experience or have served in the army.
“After a short training, they fight right in the special operations zone.”
Orlov claimed the group was a large “rear” operation delivering supplies to frontline fighters.
The group banded together despite previously being known as hooligans who disrupted football matches
“We are top with material, football fans from different cities bring us everything we ask,” said Orlov
The group claims they have enough guns and ammunition at home due to a growing rearguard
According to other reports, the hooligans were mobilized separately in the 106th Guard Division of Airborne Forces to be deployed in a reconnaissance and sabotage group.
He said: “On the basis of the Vostok division, recruits train in the firing of automatic weapons and large-caliber weapons, train in engineering work, conduct reconnaissance and combat drone flights, and refine tactical training from morning to ‘evening’.
There are no jokes…it’s a tough, if not violent, subculture with high discipline and some sort of combat training. My goal is to bring all the hooligans together in one structure.”
He claims “hundreds” want to join his group.
“We can create a large unit, but we just don’t have room for everyone,” he said. “We also train snipers, drones and air defense.
“We are top with material, football fans from different cities bring us everything we ask.”
According to other reports, the hooligans were mobilized separately in the 106th Guard Division of Airborne Forces to be deployed in a reconnaissance and sabotage group.
Images Allegedly Show Combat Training Of Russian “Soccer Hooligans”
The group is made up of “thugs” that Putin has previously condemned
Sticker on the left with symbols of different Russian football clubs and the text “We are not enemies, we are Russians”. The sticker on the right features a popular movie character and the text “Strength is in truth”
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
