Reports indicate that Russian troublemakers associated with the clashes involving England fans at Euro 2016 are now allegedly taking part in Vladimir Putin’s unauthorized invasion of Ukraine. These Russian supporters engaged in violent confrontations with England supporters before and after the teams’ 1-1 group stage match.
Back in Marseille nine years ago, the focus shifted from football when England played against Russia. Hooligans were accused of carrying out coordinated and brutal attacks across the city, resulting in numerous injuries and one individual being left paralyzed for life.
According to Marseille’s chief prosecutor, a group of approximately 150 Russians was primarily responsible for the violence, armed with metal bars and other weapons. These individuals were described as extremely violent and are now believed to be involved in Putin’s military actions in Ukraine.
Recent reports from French outlet L’Equipe suggest that the same hooligans who clashed with English fans are now armed and actively participating in Ukraine. They are linked to the Espanola, a paramilitary group led by Commander Mikhail Tourkanov, known for his swastika tattoos.
Commander Tourkanov emphasized the alignment of the hooligans’ aggressive mindset with the group’s objectives. Some members of this battalion were reportedly involved in the Marseille incidents, indicating a pattern of violence carrying over to the current conflict.
Espanola includes a former Russian footballer, Andrei Solomatin, who announced his affiliation with the group in 2023. Solomatin, known for his career primarily in Lokomotiv Moscow, highlighted the similar discipline required in football and their paramilitary activities.
The unit’s ideology leans towards the far-right, with one subgroup known as the ’88th Brigade’ reportedly holding neo-Nazi beliefs, as per Ukrainian intelligence sources.
Recollections from witnesses of the Marseille violence in 2016 describe the ferocity of the attacks, with victims recounting brutal assaults, including one individual being struck with a wooden bat in the city’s Old Port.
The aggressive behavior displayed by the Russian hooligans in Marseille has now seemingly translated into their involvement in military operations in Ukraine, raising concerns about the escalation of violence and extremism.
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