Following Telegram Suspension, Neo-Nazi Russian Militia Launches New Channels, Threatens Liberals And Opponents Of The War, Posts Photos Of Military Training, Testing Equipment

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October 3, 2022

On September 23, 2022, a Russian Telegram channel, which covers the activities of the neo-Nazi militia which is currently fighting alongside Russian regular forces in Ukraine, was deleted by the platform  for publishing calls to execute Ukrainian POWs. Since then, two new channels affiliated with the group have been launched, posting photos of the detachment training and testing new military equipment.

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Group Threatens Russian Liberals

On Telegram on October 1, 2022, the militia published a post threatening critics of the detachment and their families. The post stated that the group monitors discussions about it by "liberal scum."

The post went on to claim that the group is not subjected to any restrictions by Russian authorities, effectively having a "carte blanche" for any action it takes. It noted that its threats should be taken seriously, because half of the battalion's personnel is deployed in Russia, while "many comrades" reside abroad. The text stressed: "This is not a threat, but a reminder: we are Russians, and you are shit, and we have your [and your families'] worthless lives in our hands."


The post read: "Remember that after eight years of war we have completely forgotten fear, and are only driven by the voice of blood."

Training And Equipment Testing

The group's Telegram channel regularly posted photos of training. On September 30, the group published photos of a joint fire range training held by members. According to the post, the photos were taken in the spring of this year.


The photos show fighters with their faces digitally blurred, engaged in military exercises

Fundraising

Despite the recent blocking of the group's cryptocurrency accounts, it seems that the group continues to receive necessary equipment by effectively conducting fundraising via third parties. For instance, on October 2 the Telegram channel published a post thanking Telegram users for providing the group with seven winter sleeping bags.


The image showed sleeping bags as well as several weapons.

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