Back Espanola (bataillon) French Эспаньола (бригада) Russian 88-ма розвідувально-диверсійна бригада «Еспаньйола» Ukrainian 西班牙人营 Chinese
| Espaniola | |
|---|---|
| Эспаньола | |
&sq=&lang=en&file=File:Russian_Espanola_Battalion_Logo.jpg){kind=logo} | |
| Founders | Stanislav Orlov Alexander Khodakovsky |
| Leader | Stanislav Orlov |
| Dates of operation | 2022–present |
| Allegiance |  Russia |
| Slogan | «Чаю воскресения мертвых и жизни будущаго века. Аминь» |
| Size | 150+ (February 2023) |
| Part of | &sq=&lang=en&file=File:Russian_Volunteer_Assault_Corps%27s_insignia.svg){kind=small} Volunteer Corps[1] |
| Battles and wars | Battle of Mariupol |
Espanola battalion (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.[2][3][4] The detachment commander is a representative of the Red-Blue Warriors group Stanislav Orlov, call sign “Испанец” (Spaniard).[2][5]
At the beginning of its existence, the formation existed under the Vostok battalion of the self-proclaimed DPR. Currently, the battalion is controlled by the PMC "Redut".[6]
Some of the members of the battalion espouse right wing to far right views.[6][7]
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Parfitt, Tom (2024-04-06). "Russian football hooligans put rivalry aside to fight for Putin in Ukraine". 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.
- ^ "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.