These Guys Are Wild: Russia's Espanola Battalion

Today we look at the Espanola PMC, a group of Russian football fanatics that banded together to form a military organization to fight in Ukraine.

Sources in the video

[KroiAlbanoiArbanon]

All is missing is Steven Seagal riding a tank over a chicken farm.

[SaturnVII]

It figures that mercenaries are often rejects of their own societies.

[iansum]

Russia trying not to recruit the most problematic soldiers(impossible)

[RubyWed]

Sounds like bunch of fan guys getting together to fight for Russia instead of fighting each other on the streets against each other.

[thechrisandphaedrusshow]

It's messed up how many Nazis are fighting this anti Nazi campaign. I mean it's just dripping with irony.
Russia is so twisted you can't make this crap up!
Great job again Preston, cheers!

[robotsweee]

These groups remind me of the psychos in Borderlands.

[davidgoulding]

As always, I appreciate the work you do, Preston. Thanks, and keep up the great work

[breadman]

The average iq of Russia went up when these guys were sent to Ukraine. Jesus.

[MM]

And to think people used to complain about Blackwater....

[maximillianschonhausen]

Charming lot, aren’t they. There are quite a few of these bands of brigands roving the Donbas, as I know you already know. A Chamber of horrors that can sustain many Youtube channels just presenting them all. I much appreciate that you do - I find it has been hard going since 2014 trying to convey what people are actually behind terms as ”Separatists” or ”Russian troops”. What has been haunting Ukraine for a decade now.

[morrisse_]

“The only difference between reality and fiction is that fiction needs to be credible.”
- Mark Twain

[RichardGeiszler]

Well, Russia has learned how to harness their more hyper aggressive and morally questionable elements.
Truly crying havoc and letting slip the dogs of war.

[antefizulic]

Non muslim version of kadyrovites. Strong instagram potential.

[DominionSorcerer]

I'm just left baffled at Teddy Boy Greg's display of the Soviet sickle combined with the Black Sun.

[DavorGlasnović]

One guy has a tatoo of the Geman 7th SS Mountain Div. on his forearm

[JimLadBossMan]

Imagine surrendering and then realising the guys taking you prisoner are covered in nazi tattoos. You’d be so screwed.

[Charles-yqvv]

I really like when you dig deep and bring stories that other Ukraine/Russia channels don't surface. This is really interesting stuff. Thanks.

[MilitaryTalkGuy]

I have many friends in the military and can say with 100% certainty that the guys pictured here are not all that different than hard core soldiers from any country. I bet they are an effective fighting unit and in times of war, that is what counts. Look at Boyington's black sheep from WWII. They were a really crude bunch of guys but they kicked a$$ and took names when it came time to fight.

[dongately]

Something tells me the Espanola barracks smells like cabbage, is littered with dirty tracksuits and empty vodka bottles, and has more than one 1998 Mercedes parked outside.

[H.G.Wells-ishWells-ish]

WAIT!!! So they have neo-Nazis fighting against neo-Nazis? I'm so confused. -<not really>