“‘Española,’ or ‘Hispaniola’ Battalion is a Russian volunteer battalion currently serving in Ukraine. Indeed, the military unit consists of hooligans or ‘ultras,’ football’s most fanatical supporters. Española has successfully recruited these diehard supporters…through promises of cash and camaraderie…(with) a passion for violence and neo-Nazism.” — Jake Cremin, for Grey Dynamics , June 13, 2024.

Formed in February 2022, at the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 88th Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade “Española” is a paramilitary, volunteer group of mercenaries, created by recruiting radical, ultra-right-wing fans, or “hooligans,” of Russian football (soccer) clubs, and led by Stanislav Orlov, age 44, using the callsign “Spaniard.” The name of the new unit is a refer

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