[UPDATED]: What is Española? Neo-Nazis and ultras in the Russian army. Exposing the fighters of the unit
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 informational campaign to promote the "Española" brand may be an attempt to replace the Wagner PMC in the media and counterbalance the widely publicized Chechen units of "Akhmat." Recently, "Española" had a conflict with the latter.
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 Russianimperialist 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 the88th 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 battlesnear 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 ofcooperation with the "Vostok" battalion.
Connection with the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces
After concluding its collaboration with the "Vostok" battalion, Española became part of the Redut PMC (1, 2). According to a BBC informant, contracts are signed specifically with Redut. Investigations by various media suggest that the primary overseer of Redut PMC is Vladimir Alexeyev, the First Deputy Head of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff GRU. Alexeyev was one of those who negotiated with Yevgeny Prigozhin during the short-lived Wagner mutiny in June 2023. Alexeyev has been one of the chief overseers of all formations the Russian Ministry of Defense labels as "volunteer" units, including numerous "Redut" groups. In a joint investigation, The Insider and Spiegel also identified Alexeyev as the initiator of Redut’s formation.
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 terroristsplanned 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 theoccupied 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 ofsubsequent 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 itsprivate 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 manymountain settlements.
Personnel of "Española"
In "Española," it was claimed that by 2023-2024 the armed formation had reached 550 people, including 100drone operators. Española claimed that by 2023-2024, the armed formation had reached 550 members, including 100 drone operators. According to information from Russian media based on statements from Española, the brigade comprises 1.5-2k fighters. The brigade includes assault squads, sniper groups, medical teams, UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) operators, electronic warfare (EW) units, and a canine service. As stated by the brigade, over two years of the war, they lost 19 personnel, though this figure is likely inaccurate.
The list of clubs is noted in Orlov’s biography on the Evocation website, which foreign publications reference as a source on Russian criminals. According to posts on Española’s Telegram channel, these include former members of ultras from Donetsk’s Shakhtar, along with ultras from Moscow’s CSKA, Spartak, Dynamo, Lokomotiv, Torpedo, St. Petersburg’s Zenit, Yaroslavl’s Shinnik, and Oryol from the city of Oryol. In September 2023, hockey players from Moscow CSKA took to the ice for warm-ups in uniforms with the letter Z and elements of the Española battalion emblem, with the ceremonial puck drop performed by Stanislav Orlov (“The Spaniard”). Additionally, posts state that the management of Torpedo, Lokomotiv, and CSKA officially expressed support for Española.
UPDATED (November 4, 2024):
No specific individuals from Shakhtar ultras have been identified as fighting on Russia's side. However, it's noted that in occupied territories, Russians are attempting to create a "new Shakhtar team." There are only three mentions of "Shakhtar" on Española’s Telegram channel. In an October 2022 post, no statements suggested that locals were being recruited for this purpose. It likely refers to the creation of a new football club in the Donbas region and the deployment of the first recruits to the combat zone. The first posts involving "fan units" were dated April 2022 (1, 2). In all mentions of "Shakhtar," the only former ultra referenced was "Yary," likely Evgeny Alexandrovich Tolmachev, born in 1985, originally from Horlivka, an area under Russian occupation. Since 2015, he has participated in combat within the "Spaniard" reconnaissance company (1, 2, 3). As of March 2023, Española named him as the commander of their sniper group. In September 2022, "Yary" (VK) launched (1, 2) his own Telegram channel, and since January 2024, he has also run a VK community named “1/2MOA.”
UPDATED (November 18, 2024)
Representatives claiming to be Shakhtar ultras have reached out to Molfar. They state that Evgeny Alexandrovich Tolmachev has no connection to their community.
A screenshot from the propaganda publication Evening Moscow.
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 (TG) — 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 Española's personnel are foreigners from Serbia, Cuba, the USA, Spain, and possibly other countries. Notable fighters include Serbian Aleksandar Jokic, call sign "Cornet," Española’s chief medic with the call sign "Cuban," Daniel Lemus-Gonzalez (TG), a media propagandist with the call sign "Teddy," and American Gregory Wayne Rossell Jr. (TG).
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 units: According to a post on Española's Telegram channel, commanders of assault units such as the motorized battalion "Pita’s Gang," "Rus" squads, and the "Third Assault" independently develop plans for combat missions, utilizing brigade technologies and the "Melody" information and analytical center as a military back office. It was also reported that this is the first brigade to recruit women into assault units. Women also serve in medical units, as well as in communications, electronic warfare (EW), radio-electronic reconnaissance (RER), and UAV units.
The "Melody" information and analytical center is responsible for collecting and organizing intelligence in the Chasiv Yar area. They gather information by all possible means, from online searches using OSINT to working with intelligence agencies and recruiting pro-Russian residents in Ukraine. Additionally, the center coordinates and facilitates interactions between various branches of the armed forces, provides resources in critical situations, and seeks support from other volunteer units when needed. The center is led by a militant with the call sign "Topaz"—Yevgeny Eduardovich Rasskazov, a neo-Nazi originally from Makiivka, Ukraine. In 2014, he joined separatist forces in Donbas and became one of the most notorious members of the "Rusich DShRG," infamous for its extreme brutality and sadism.
“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.
The UAV Training and Combat Center of Española: In 2022, a scientific and technical center was also established within Española’s UAV Training and Combat Center (TCC), where captured equipment is collected and studied, and tested combat prototypes are further refined. A specialist with the call sign “Petrovich” became the head of the TCC. Among their developments is the "Kikimora" project, an equivalent to the well-known “Baba Yaga,” and the "PRIVET-82" UAV, a joint project with the "Oko" design bureau. They also use Aeroscopes and "FILIN-I" drone detectors.
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 aviation battalion: According to a September 2024 publication, the UAV aviation battalion of Española’s 88th Brigade includes groups named “Squadron,” “Owls,” “Ursa,” “Mirage,” and squadrons operating Orlan-10, Zala, and SuperCam drones.
Española’s brigade also has an all-female sniper group equipped with Lobaev sniper rifles.
The brigade is armed with light armored vehicles, such as BMPs and APCs, a division (or battery) of 152mm howitzers, and an air defense unit. A school for training FPV drone operators operates within Española’s base. Additionally, the reconnaissance-assault brigade possesses advanced electronic warfare (EW) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) equipment.
According to posts on Española’s Telegram channel, a device named AirTop (1, 2) was specially developed for their unit, capable of taking control of "any" UAVs in specific zones. In a November 2024 publication, they also mention developing their own EW system, likely referring to the stationary EW “Izdelie N5,” which, as stated in the post, is manufactured in their own design bureau.
Recruiting, contracts, training, and training grounds
As of 2023, the brigade was recruiting for positions including reconnaissance saboteurs, snipers, drone operators, electronic warfare (EW) specialists, air defense operators, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) operators, communications specialists, driver-mechanics, medics, assault troops, and 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 financial aspect is discussed individually. 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" primarily recruits new members through Telegram but also has pages on VK and YouTube. Potential candidates undergo an interview via the platform, and if successful, they are sent for training in Moscow and St. 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 pioneer camp "Zvezdochka" on occupied Ukrainian territory. Specialists from one of the Special Operations Forces (SSO) units, using Russian propaganda videos (1, 2), managed to identify the probable location of the camp—Bezimennoe village, Novoazovsk district, near Mariupol.
Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation 12 15 №588320 issued on 02.06.2015 by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation for the AOL in the Sovetsky district of Astrakhan.
Owns a car:
Kia SPORTAGE
State number:
R744MB30
Individual insurance account number (SNILS):
15389106078
Address:
Russia, Astrakhan region, Astrakhan, Sovetsky district, Kubanskaya str., building No. 17, building No. 1, apartment 48.
Alexander Jokic
(26.01.2003)
Deputy Head of the Information-Analytical Center "Melodiya" / Callsign "Cornet"
Russian Citizen Passport: Series 46 06 No. 900754, issued on 13.07.2005 by the Selyatino Department of Internal Affairs of the Naro-Fominsk District, Moscow Region, subdivision code 503-058
Penza Region, Penza, Pushkin St., Building 9, Apt. 24
Sergey Petrovich Ushakov
(04.06.1971)
Research Center of the UAV Department of the "Espanyola" Brigade, under the leadership of Petrovich
Phone:
+79258418012
Passport: 650523379
TIN (INN): 502913304503
SNILS: 12802096433
Place of Birth: Kuibyshev
Russian Citizen Passport: Series 65 05 No. 233791, issued on 03.08.2004 by the Chkalovsky Department of Internal Affairs in Yekaterinburg, subdivision code 662-006
Address:
Moscow Region, Lobyanya, Yubileynaya St., Building 34, Apt. 118
Passport: 5316 655883 Issued by: Department of the Federal Migration Service of Russia in Orenburg Region, Orenburg District, 560-019 Date of Passport Issue: 29.07.2016
TIN (INN): 563807447115 SNILS: 16081967178
Known Addresses: Moscow, Donskaya St., Building 17, Apt. 47 St. Petersburg, Dekabristov St., 54, Apt/Office 10, Floor 3
Wife: Herlina Alina Aivarivna, born 21.10.1993 Phone: +79263490993
Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, actively supports "Espanyola," visits the front lines and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
"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.
