Militia Leader Stanislav Orlov Killed in Crimea Amid Kremlin Crackdown on Ultranationalists
Stanislav Orlov, also known as Spaniard, was the founder of Española, a far-right unit composed of football hooligans and neo-Nazi volunteers who fought for Russia in Ukraine. The group was involved in operations in Mariupol and Bakhmut and was sanctioned by the UK and EU.
Orlov died in December 2025 under murky circumstances. Reports indicate he was ambushed and shot at his home in Crimea by Moscow’s security services, though no official cause of death has been announced. CCTV footage released by Astra purportedly shows the moments before the killing, while an ambulance reportedly arrived six hours after the incident.
His funeral took place at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and drew hundreds of attendees amid public speculation concerning the circumstances of his death and possible government involvement.
In October 2023, Española disbanded and its members were absorbed into Russia’s regular army. This was part of a Kremlin crackdown on rogue ultranationalist formations following the Wagner Group mutiny. Since then, independent armed groups have been dismantled or incorporated into formal military structures, and prominent ultranationalist critics, such as Igor Girkin, have been silenced through measures including imprisonment on extremism charges.
Analysts interpret Orlov’s death as a stark warning to others who might seek to wield independent militant power, especially as many embittered fighters return from frontlines. The Kremlin’s approach to the legacy of figures like Prigozhin—whose memorials near Red Square remain intact—highlights selective state commemorations and the limits imposed on non-state military actors.
Notably, few pro-war bloggers publicly discussed Orlov’s death, most remaining silent as the state reasserts control over paramilitary networks.
