Russian ex-footballer, Andrey Solomatine, now engages in combat with the Russian military in Ukraine, adopting the identity of Soloma
In a shocking revelation, a documentary titled "Putin's Hooligan Army" has exposed the involvement of some Russian hooligans, including former football player Andrei Solomatine, in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The documentary, part of the digital investigation video collection Dark Web, is available on L'Équipe.
The documentary reveals that the Kremlin has convinced these hooligans, including those who attacked English fans during Euro 2016, to fight on the Ukrainian front. One of these hooligans, now known as Soloma, is none other than Andrei Solomatine, a footballer who wore the colours of Lokomotiv, CSKA Moscow, and Obolon Kiev in his career, and represented Russia as an international footballer 13 times between 1998 and 2003.
Solomatine played in the 2002 World Cup and is currently fighting solo in the Russian army in Ukraine. However, the former footballer who participated in the 2002 Football World Cup and is now a member of the Spanish Battalion, is not identified by name in the provided search results.
The Spanish Battalion, a paramilitary group notably consisting of hooligans, was launched by Vladimir Putin in 2022. The battalion has enlisted many Russian hooligans, with Solomatine being one of them. In the documentary, Solomatine is seen celebrating in an occupied Ukrainian territory with members of the Spanish Battalion. He also discusses his daily training in a Telegram video featured in the documentary.
The Spanish Battalion is engaged in the war in Ukraine. The documentary's release has raised concerns about the use of hooligans as soldiers and the potential escalation of violence in the region. It serves as a stark reminder of the blurred lines between sports, politics, and war.
