Russia’s far-right Espanola brigade to merge with fellow nationalist organization “Russian Community” after founder’s death

The Russian far-right volunteer unit Espanola, which announced in October that it was disbanding, will merge with another far-right organization — “Russkaya Obshchina” (lit. “Russian Community”). The news comes from Mikhail Turkanov (call sign “Pitbull”), the commander of Espanola’s assault company and a close associate of the brigade’s recently killed founder, Stanislav Orlov (call sign “Spaniard”). Turkanov told The Insider about the group’s plans.

Turkanov confirmed that Orlov died on Dec. 4, as was reported on Dec. 22 by the independent outlet Astra. According to Astra, Orlov was shot dead during an attempted arrest at a dacha cooperative called Flotsky in Russian-occupied Crimea, where he had been living. Sources cited by Astra, former Espanola members among them, said law enforcement was attempting to detain Orlov on suspicion of arms trafficking and participation in an organized crime group at the time of his death. Turkanov disputes this version of events.

“This is how it’s being presented — that he knew they were coming for him. But if a person knows they’re coming for him and he has one and a half billion (rubles), would he really stay put? Of course not,” Turkanov said. “Stas [Stanislav Orlov] was an honest man and fought for his country. He said that if there were questions for him, he would answer them easily — let them come. He wasn’t afraid of anyone, of any structures, because he had nothing to fear. His conscience was clear.”

Turkanov also rejected rumors of arms and drug trafficking. “Many people spent their salaries on equipment, gear, and other needs. They fed their families, and there are no millions in their [bank] accounts. We always fought to make sure all fighters were paid what they earned,” he said. “[Orlov] fought with everyone, including generals, always standing up for the fighters. And then suddenly he would start robbing his own men? That could never have happened.”

Turkanov also confirmed that another Espanola member, Ruslan Kazantsev, known by the call sign “Altai,” was indeed involved in arms trafficking. Astra previously reported that Kazantsev had been arrested. Turkanov insisted, however, that Orlov knew nothing about Kazantsev’s illicit activities.

A farewell ceremony for Orlov took place Sunday, Dec. 22, at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior. As The Insider was able to confirm, “Spaniard” was buried at Dyatlovo Cemetery in the Moscow suburb of Balashikha.

Among those who came to pay their respects were former Russia national football team player and Espanola member Andrei Solomatin, celebrity animal trainer Edgar Zapashny, coordinator of the Sorok Sorokov Orthodox movement Andrei Kormukhin, leader of the Union of Orthodox Banner-Bearers Igor Miroshnichenko, multiple members of the Russian Community and the Wagner private military company, and a number of football fans. In total, several thousand people attended.

Espanola was formed in the spring of 2022 as part of the Vostok battalion in the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic.” The brigade was made up primarily of football ultras, many of whom, according to media outlets and human rights groups, adhere to neo-Nazi views. Orlov was a former member of the Red-Blue Warriors fan group and had taken part in combat in Donbas since 2014. He was also a member of the Union of Donbas Volunteers, an organization linked to Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov.

In October 2025, Espanola announced that it was disbanding — or, as the group said on Telegram, launching “a complete reboot.” The unit said its core members were “creating new structures within the defense system and law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation.” Assault and electronic warfare units are also set to be formed, drawing from the remnants of the former group.