25.10.2024
The Española Brigade is increasingly appearing in the Russian media — the most significant official publications and the Russian TV channelreport on this formation. Comments, interviews from brigade representatives, and numerous materials in their support appear on RIA Novosti (1,2) and TASS (1,2). We tell more about who they are, what they are known for, and where they fight against Ukraine.
The editors of the Molfar website publishes material prepared by friends from one of the SSO units.
The goal of the information campaign to promote the "Española" brand may be to replace the needs and requests for a similar project, as was the case with the "Wagner" PMC, and possibly to oppose the media-hyped Chechen units "Akhmat," with which, by the way, "Española" recently had a conflict.
In "Española," it was stated that a group of brigade fighters, moving according to the combat order for rotation in a column on two transport units to the zone of combat engagement, were blocked and attacked by unknowns in four vehicles, who turned out to be "Akhmat" members. In this regard, they appealed to the head of the Russian Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, with whom "Española" has established a special trust relationship. The conflict with "Akhmat" led to the exposure of the identities of "Española" fighters, which were displayed in private channels.
The "Española" military project may benefit Russia, as it attracts a unique part of Russia's ultraright militaristic ecosystem. They are somewhat different from the neo-Nazi organization "Rusich" and the harsh Orthodox Russian imperialist movement. Also, "Española" provides an opportunity for former "Wagner" PMC fighters to continue military service not by contract in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces but by a six-month contract with a "volunteer" formation. Meanwhile, the connection of "Española" with the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and actual financing from the Russian Ministry of Defense and oligarchs close to Putin allows the Russian authorities to establish specific control over such forces, which should prevent a repeat of the "Prigozhin revolt" in 2023.
What is "Española"?
"Española" is a Russian military formation that has been participating in the Russian invasion of Ukraine since the second half of 2024, named the 88th Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade. The core of the "Española" personnel consists of football ultras, some of whom hold neo-Nazi views. The unit received its name from its founder, "The Spaniard"—Stanislav Orlov.
Stanislav Orlov was one of the ultras who fought in eastern Ukraine in 2014, where he earned the nickname "The Spaniard" for his language skills. Orlov fought under the command of the militant Igor Bezler and later created a separate reconnaissance squad, "Skull and Bones," which participated in battles near Horlivka and Debaltseve.
"Española" is based on the "Vostok" brigade, created in 2014 by Alexander Khodakovsky, a former head of the "Alpha" special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Donetsk region who defected to the separatists. In March 2023, "Española" announced the end of cooperation with the "Vostok" battalion.
Connection with the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces
After the cooperation with the "Vostok" battalion ends, recruitment and funding are carried out through the "Redut" PMC. According to some media investigations, the leading curator of the "Redut" PMC is the first deputy head of the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Alexeyev. Alexeyev was one of those who negotiated with Yevgeny Prigozhin during the short-lived "Wagner" mutiny in June 2023. Alexeyev was one of the main curators of all formations that the Russian Ministry of Defense calls "volunteer," including numerous "Reduts." Publications The Insider and Spiegel, in a joint investigation, also named Alexeyev as the initiator of the creation of "Redut."
According to the publication's sources, the "Company" began to be created shortly before the beginning of the War in the autumn of 2021. The earliest mention of "Redut," recorded by the investigation's authors, dates back to early December 2021.
Moreover, General Alexeyev is involved in active measures of Russian special services abroad. In particular, during the Russian intervention in Syria, he commanded the actions of military intelligence, was involved in interference in the 2016 US presidential elections, and was responsible for the storage, transportation, and use of the poisonous substance "Novichok" on March 4, 2018, in Salisbury.
"The Spaniard" Orlov is suspected of involvement in the attempted coup in Montenegro. Thus, as "Informnapalm" notes, on September 30, 2016, Stanislav Orlov arrived in Montenegro, and according to the Montenegrin prosecutor's office, the terrorists planned to assassinate the country's prime minister on October 16, 2016. The nature of the task regarding the assassination may indicate a connection with the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, which handles such special operations, particularly with General Alexeyev.
Alexeyev's connection with "Española" is not hidden. Thus, the unit openly celebrates his birthday and thanks him for the "carte blanche for self-realization."
Also, Alexeyev, who does not appear in public very often, has personally awarded medals to the unit's fighters, including the commander of the "Pitbull" motorcycle unit, Mikhail Turkanov. The latest such awarding was on 09.10.2024 to the fighter "Raspisnoy," likely at the unit's location in the occupied territories.
On September 30, 2024, in its Telegram channel, the 88th Brigade "Española" announced that, together with specialized services of Russian military intelligence, they launched a fully secured Telegram bot through which anyone on Ukrainian territory can transmit any vital information for a substantial reward. Additionally, Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters can use this bot to surrender with a full guarantee of subsequent safety.
Connection with the Rotenbergs and "United Russia"("Edinaja Rosia") Political Party
The Russian publication "Important Stories" linked the formation to individuals close to Russian President Vladimir Putin — brothers Arkadiy and Boris Rotenberg. In particular, the head of security for the Russian railway monopoly RZD (JSCo RZhD), Viktor Shendrik, sponsors "Española."
Also, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that the Russian party "United Russia" has acquired its private army — "Española."
Symbolics
One of the symbols of "Española" is a skull with crossed bones and a circular inscription, "I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the future age. Amen" on a black background. This is the flag of General Yakov Baklanov, a participant in the Caucasian War who "gained fame" for destroying many mountain settlements.
Personnel of "Española"
In "Española," it was claimed that by 2023-2024 the armed formation had reached 550 people, including 100 drone operators. According to the latest information, mainly from the official Telegram channel of the unit, it is known that the brigade numbers about 1.5-2 thousand fighters with assault squads, sniper groups, medical teams, UAVs, electronic warfare units, and even a canine service. According to a statement by "Española" (dated 19.09.2024), the brigade lost 19 people over more than two years of combat operations.
"Española" recruits participants from the environment of football fans. The core of "Española" consists of ultras from fan clubs, including Donetsk's "Shakhtar," Moscow's CSKA, "Spartak," "Lokomotiv," "Torpedo," St. Petersburg's "Zenit," Yekaterinburg's "Ural," Yaroslavl's "Shinnik," Nizhny Novgorod's "Pari," Krasnodar's "Kuban," Ramenskoye's "Saturn," Simferopol's "Tavria," "Orel," "Rostov," and others.
Some members of "Española" adhere to neo-Nazi views. Some have tattoos with swastikas, kolovrat, and 14/88. At least one of the fighters — Mikhail "Pitbull" Turkanov — was convicted for publicly displaying Nazi symbolism. At the end of December 2022, a host from "Channel One," who was working on a story about "Española," posted a photo on the Telegram channel of the back of a bed at the organization's facility, which showed stickers from fan groups with slogans like "Kill them all, take everything," "Forward, hussars, fuck and cut," an SS emblem on a CSKA fan organization sticker, and images of oral sex scenes.
Among the personnel of "Española" are foreigners from Serbia, Cuba, the USA, Spain, and possibly other countries. Among the known fighters are Serbian Yokić Aleksandar, call sign "Cornet"; the chief medic of "Española," call sign "Cuban"; Daniel Lemus-Gonzales, a media propagandist, call sign "Teddy"; and American Gregory Wayne Rossell JR.
Also, after the rebellion of the head of the "Wagner" PMC, Prigozhin, in June 2023, some fighters switched to "Española." At that time, "Española" did not support the rebellion and called for "Wagner" fighters to join their unit. Such a stance may also indicate the unit's control by Russian security structures.
Additionally, among the personnel of "Española" are representatives of the "Union of Donbas Volunteers" and Russian Cossack formations.
According to the entry requirements for "Española," the brigade recruits individuals with criminal records, so among the fighters are those who have come from places of imprisonment. The requirements also include adherence to a "dry law," however, "Petrovich," the head of the UAV center, who has an administrative penalty for drinking alcohol in public places, was still accepted into the brigade.
Structure and Armament
As previously mentioned, “Española” comprises about 1.5-2 thousand fighters with assault squads, sniper groups, medical units, UAVs, electronic warfare, and even a canine service.
Known assault squads include “Pit’s gang” – the “Pitbull” motor battalion, as well as the “Rus” and “Third Assault” squads. Commanders of the assault squads themselves develop plans for carrying out combat tasks, utilizing brigade technologies and the information-analytical center “Melody” as a military “back office.” It has also been reported that this is the first brigade to hire women in assault squads. Women also serve in medical units, as well as in communications, electronic warfare, electronic intelligence, and UAV units.
The Information-Analytical Center “Melody” is responsible for collecting and structuring intelligence in the direction of Chasov Yar. They gather information by all possible means: from internet searches using OSINT to working with intelligence agencies and recruiting pro-Russian residents of Ukraine. Additionally, the center establishes and ensures the interaction of all types of troops, provides its resources in critical situations, or asks other volunteer units for help. The center is led by a fighter with the call sign “Topaz” - Yevgeniy Eduardovich Rasskazov, a neo-Nazi born in Ukraine, from Makiivka. In 2014, he joined the separatists in Donbas and became one of the most notorious members of the "DSHG Rusich," known for its particular sadism and cruelty.
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“When a person goes to war — it’s like sexual drive. It’s like wanting to fuck. It’s approximate, like wanting a woman. When you kill a pig— everyone understands who I call a pig — you enjoy that his wife remains a widow. You savor how they cry as a family, how he comes home in a coffin. And an erection appears”— Topaz said.
UAV Training and Combat Center of “Española.” Officially, the center was created in May 2023. Inside the UAV Training and Combat Center of “Española,” a scientific and technical center was also created, where collected trophies are assembled and researched, and tested samples are refined. A specialist with the call sign “Petrovich” became the head of the Training and Combat Center. Among their developments is the “Kikimora” project— analogous to the well-known “Baba Yaga,” UAV “PRIVET-82”—a joint development with the design bureau “Oko.” They also use aeroscopes and drone-detectors “FILIN – I.”
All UAV units of the 88th Reconnaissance Assault Brigade “Española” are assembled within the brigade into a single flight battalion “Doves of Peace.”
Reconnaissance-strike groups of the flight battalion: “Squadron,” “Owls,” “Ursa,” “Mirage,” squadrons “Orlan-10,” Zala, and SuperCam.
The “Española” brigade has a sniper company, one group of which is composed entirely of women, armed with Lobaev sniper rifles.
“Española” is armed with light armored vehicles such as BMPs and BTRs, a division (or battery) of 152-mm howitzers, and an air defense unit. Based on the “Española” brigade, there is an entire school for training FPV drone operators. Additionally, the reconnaissance-assault brigade has powerful means of electronic warfare and electronic intelligence.
Recruiting, contracts, training, and training grounds
The brigade is recruiting for positions such as reconnaissance saboteurs, snipers, drone operators, electronic warfare specialists, air defense personnel, anti-tank guided missile operators, communications specialists, mechanics-drivers, medics, and assault troops, among others.
Among the entry requirements: mandatory passing of physical fitness standards. It is noted that during the time of meeting these standards and preparing to join the brigade, smartphones must only be Android-based without any Meta programs - Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Legal issues. After signing the contract, volunteer status is granted; since May 2023, this status confers the right to acquire the status of a combat veteran. Convicted individuals can be recruited, but those who already have a valid contract with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and are mobilized will not be able to join "Española."
The contract is signed with "Redut," which was mentioned earlier.
The financial aspect is discussed individually. All payments are similar to those in the Russian Ministry of Defense. According to Ukrainian intelligence, volunteers are offered a salary of 220,000 rubles per month for at least six months on the front lines. They are also entitled to certain "insurance payments": from 1 to 5 million dollars depending on the severity of injuries.
Unlike the Wagner PMC, Española has not created numerous pages on social networks, but it uses Telegram to recruit new members. Potential candidates undergo an interview through the platform, and if the interview is successful, they proceed to training in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
It was also reported that the "Española" brigade has its own training ground and base in the Tambov region.
Newly recruited fighters are sent to what they themselves call the "Zvezdochka" pioneer camp located in occupied Ukraine. Specialists from one of the Special Operations Forces units managed to locate the camp — the village of Bezimenne in the Novoazovsk district, near Mariupol.
Coordinates - 47.1019658, 37.9556892. (1, 2)
Personnel of “Española”
Unfold the list
"Española" is a Russian military group created under the guise of a volunteer unit. In reality, they recruit criminals for a brutal war against Ukraine. This unit primarily consists of football ultras, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists, with active support from Russian oligarchs and the GRU. "Espanyola" plays a significant role in Russian propaganda, aiming to present itself as a successful military formation—a supposed alternative to the Wagner PMC.
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