Espanola (brigade)
 | This article needs to be updated. (July 2025) |
 | This article's lead section may need to be rewritten. (July 2025) |
| Espaniola | |
|---|---|
| Эспаньола | |
 | |
| Also known as | 88th Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade[1] |
| Founders | Stanislav Orlov Alexander Khodakovsky |
| Leader | Stanislav Orlov |
| Dates of operation | 2022–present |
| Allegiance |  Russia |
| Slogan | "I look forward the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen." |
| Size | 150+ (February 2023) |
| Part of |  Volunteer Corps[2] |
| Battles and wars | Battle of Mariupol |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Neo-Nazism in Russia |
|---|
 |
The 88th Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade also known as the Espanola (spelt like Espanyola, Spanish: Española, Russian: Эспаньола) is a Russian irregular military formation created from radical fans of football clubs, including CSKA, Spartak, Torpedo, Zenit, Lokomotiv, Orel and other teams.[3][4][5] The detachment commander is a representative of the Red-Blue Warriors group Stanislav Orlov, call sign “Испанец” (Spaniard).[3][6]
At the beginning of its existence, the formation existed under the Vostok battalion of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Currently, the brigade is controlled by the PMC "Redut of Russia's military intelligence service GRU.[7]
Many of the members of the brigade espouse right-wing, far-right, and neo-Nazi views. Espanola is also known as the "88th Brigade", which according to Molfar is an explicit neo-Nazi reference. Members of the brigade refer to "14/88" and some have the numbers as a tattoo.[1][7][8][9]
History
[edit]
Initially, the battalion was formed as a volunteer unit, and then was integrated into the armed forces of the DPR. According to The Times, created by Stanislav Orlov and Alexander Khodakovsky.[6] The unit took part in the fighting during the assault on Azovstal, as well as on the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia fronts. In the spring of 2023, Espaniola announced that it had become a private military company.[5]
The banner of General Yakov Baklanov, who participated in the Caucasian War, is used as one of the symbols.[8]
There were claims that on November 5 2024 that the Russian Deputy Commander of the Brigade's Sniper Platoon, Pavel "Joker" Apalkov, was killed in combat in the Chasiv Yar direction.[11]
On the night of 23-24 June, Russian milbloggers claimed that two Neptune missiles struck the command post of the Russian 88th “Hispaniola” Volunteer Brigade in Crimea. However they claimed that the based was evacuated before the missile strike.[12]
Members
[edit]The battalion consists of football fans of Russian clubs Zenit, Lokomotiv, Orel, Spartak, Torpedo, CSKA and other teams.[6][5] According to Hispaniola commander Stanislav Orlov, the battalion initially numbered 500 people, including 100 kamikaze drone operators. The unit is equipped by football fans from all over Russia. According to Orlov, the state and businessmen do not provide financial support to the unit.[6]
According to media reports, Espaniola is recruiting fighters with certain combat and technical skills: reconnaissance saboteurs, snipers, drone operators, electronic warfare, air defense, anti-tank guided missiles, signalmen, driver mechanics, doctors.[13] The battalion has its own training ground for military recruits, where they are also taught how to clear mines, pilot drones and operate missile defense systems.[6]
Famous members
[edit]On August 7, 2023, former player of the Russian national team, CSKA Moscow and Lokomotiv Andrei Solomatin announced his entry into the Hispaniola battalion. He also said that he received the call sign "Soloma" and is located near Bakhmut.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Neo-Nazi Espanola Brigade Raise Funds For Drones And Other Equipment Through Charitable Foundation Linked To Russian 'Green Alternative' Party". MEMRI. 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ a b "Хоккеисты ЦСКА вышли на разминку перед матчем КХЛ в форме с буквой Z и эмблемой батальона «Эспаньола», воюющего в Украине". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ Sanders, Tom (2023-03-15). "Russian football hooligans form separate battalion to fight in Ukraine". Metro. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ a b c Mas, Cristina (2023-05-27). "La Española: la unidad de ultras del fútbol ruso que lucha contra Ucrania". Ara en Castellano (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ a b c d e Parfitt, Tom (2024-04-06). "Russian football hooligans put rivalry aside to fight for Putin in Ukraine". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ a b "«Армия на полставки». Кто управляет российскими нерегулярными формированиями, воюющими в Украине? Исследование Би-би-си". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ a b "Фанаты войны: как футбольные хулиганы воюют в Украине и как с этим связан Владислав Сурков и «Единая Россия»". Черта (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "[UPDATED]: What is Española? Neo-Nazis and ultras in the Russian army. Exposing the fighters of the unit". Molfar (company). 15 May 2025.
- ^ Institute, Molfar Intelligence (2024-10-25). "Exposing Espanola: Russia's Military Unit Set to Replace Wagner PMC". Molfar. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ "Guerre en Ukraine : pourquoi le bataillon Española, groupe paramilitaire russe composé de hooligans du football, bénéficie d'un statut spécial attribué par le Kremlin ?". lindependant.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "Бывший игрок сборной России по футболу Андрей Соломатин уехал добровольцем на войну". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-04-06.
