Espanola, an ultranationalist paramilitary group fighting on Russia’s side in Ukraine, confirmed on Friday the death of its leader, Stanislav Orlov, under unclear circumstances.
Orlov, callsign “Spaniard,” founded Espanola in the spring of 2022, soon after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, as part of the Vostok Battalion in eastern Ukraine’s occupied Donetsk region.
Espanola’s members, including Orlov, are far-right Russian soccer hooligans. Orlov himself was said to have fought alongside pro-Russian forces against the Ukrainian government since 2014.
Broadcaster RTVI, citing anonymous sources, reported on Dec. 10 that Orlov had been killed by return fire during an arrest on arms trafficking charges the previous day. His fate was the subject of online debates in the ensuing days until Espanola confirmed his passing.
“Relatives and close friends of Stanislav Orlov invite everyone to say their final goodbyes to the leader, founder and inspiration behind Espanola,” the group announced on its Telegram channel.
It said that a farewell ceremony would be held at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow on Monday.
Espanola did not provide the date or cause of Orlov’s death.
“At present, the central investigative authorities are working to determine the exact cause and location of his death, as well as identifying those responsible,” Espanola wrote on its Telegram channel.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, has not publicly commented on Orlov’s passing.
Unconfirmed reports by pro-war bloggers said Orlov was killed during an arrest, while others claimed that he was allegedly in a coma “for several days” before passing.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
