Far-Right Leader Stanislav Orlov of Paramilitary Group Espanola Dies in Mysterious Circumstances

Espanola, a far-right paramilitary organization supporting Russia in Ukraine, announced on Friday the death of its leader, Stanislav Orlov, under uncertain circumstances.

Orlov, known by his call sign «Spaniard,» established Espanola in the spring of 2022 shortly after Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, integrating it into the Vostok Battalion in the occupied Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The group’s members, including Orlov, are predominantly Russian soccer hooligans aligned with extreme nationalist views. Orlov had reportedly been engaging in combat alongside pro-Russian factions against the Ukrainian authorities since 2014.

On December 10, broadcaster RTVI, citing unnamed sources, reported that Orlov was killed by return fire while being apprehended on charges related to arms trafficking the previous day. His death sparked considerable discussion online in the following days until it was officially confirmed by Espanola.

“Relatives and close friends of Stanislav Orlov invite everyone to bid farewell to the leader, founder, and source of inspiration for Espanola,” the group stated on its Telegram channel.

They announced that a memorial service will take place at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow on Monday.

Espanola did not disclose specific details regarding the date or cause of Orlov’s death.

“The central investigative authorities are currently working to ascertain the precise cause and location of his demise, as well as identify those accountable,” Espanola communicated on its Telegram channel.

The Russian Investigative Committee, which examines serious crimes, has not yet released any public statements regarding Orlov’s death.

Unverified accounts from pro-war bloggers suggest that Orlov was killed during the arrest, while other reports indicate that he may have been in a coma for «several days» before he passed away.