The 'Ultra' Culture in Russia

There can be no doubt that Football Can Change Worlds. From being deployed as a sport to promote fascism byAi??Benito Mussolini, to being a sport which accomodates diversity, there can be no doubt that Football Can Change Worlds.

Football, a protagonist set against the backdrop of the mighty USSR, has proven to be a symbol of resistance for the oppressed class. Violence associated with football, already ran deep into Russian veins and soon after USSR’s disintegration in 1992, football became the sole carrier of emotions and expressions of the Russian Population.

With money pouring in and gradual participation of teams such as CSKA Moscow, Spartak Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League and other European competitions, Russia became a new frontier for football hooliganism and “Ultra” culture. In recent times, there Ultras have developed a fearsome reputation for football violence, on and off the pitch, along with a penchant for racism and fascism. Money has more than secured the footballing future of Russia, but it has also opened a portal for uncontrolled Ultra activities and has accelerated football violence, mostly due to the rising competition within the Russian League.

“There are new kids on the block, and they are determined to be Top Dogs. Be Warned the Russians are Coming”, is perhaps one of the most famous chants, sung in Russian, by the Ultras.

Exploding in the aftermath of post communist Russia, these hooligan gangs have become some of the world’s most dangerous Ultras. Their inception was caused by away trips and vocal support that were seen as a symbol of resistance to ‘the Iron Curtain’.

In times as harsh as the Russian winter, you could be arrested and put into prison, for wearing or donning your club colors. Vocal support in stadiums was highly condemned and seen as a threat to public order. Moreover, with travel within the country highly restricted, away trips by fans were impossible to conduct.

Spartak Ultras, use Pyros as their way of intimidation — Spartak Ultras use flares for intimidation

However, outwitting the authorities and agencies, Spartak Moscow’s fans successfully organised an undercover away trip in 1977, hiding their motives behind a ‘marriage’ faAi??ade. That trip would forever change the face of Russian football. With supporters following the newly set example, away trips became another symbol of defiance to the Communist regime.

The highlight of this period was unity amongst the support groups, which is rarely witnessed in Ultra culture. Fans started sharing information and initiated a bond of brotherhood that was respected and seen as a sacred path to mutual benefit.

With fan culture at its peak, chants and songs that were seldom related to the club, made their way into the Russian stadiums. This behavior, as a Russian policeman recalls, was absurd and weird.

As the strong grasp of the Communist Regime slowly loosened, fans gained power and enjoyed their new found freedom. After the disintegration of USSR in 1991, this increasing freedom was capitalized upon and stadiums became the best possible way to express oneself.

Turning to Europe, where the Ultra culture was on a new high, the Russian support groups adopted the former’s mentality of violence and outburst. The film ‘Ultra’ had a massive impact on the newly born support groups as it showcased a different lifestyle, a way that instigated fighting and dying for club colors. All in all, this film acted as a catalyst to the already budding violent streak that was running deep in Russian footballing veins.

The rise of modern day hooliganism was on its way as society also crumbled giving way to unemployment and gangsterism. Spartak’s Flint Crew was the first Ultra group to take advantage of this nation-wide turmoil as they began ‘recruiting’ members. Soon, clubs such as CSKA and Zenit also indulged in this new trend and created their Ultra Groups, Red Blue Warriors and Nevsky Front, respectively.

After the turmoil subsided, people started adjusting to their new lives whilst ultra culture rose rapidly. They became powerful in number and approach and by the end of 1990s even the Government became involved in containing this movement. Police force and the governing bodies, ironically, tried to integrate these ultras into modern day society, failing miserably in their attempts. Retaliation in the form of police power and police brutality followed, hoping for a more positive result this time around.

Two wrongs, however, seldom make a right and these incidents blew the lid off the can that was the growing Ultra Population. Police were now seen as the enemy and a famous four alphabet word was inked in almost every major city in Russia – ACAB, which expanded to “All Cops Are Bastards”.

Ramenskoe, a small town near Moscow, witnessed the first ever large scale Ultra Hooliganism in 1999. This incident would go on to make headlines and multiply by numbers come the early 2000s.

After a 22nd minute goal, the Spartak fans erupted in joy and happiness. This was seen as public disorder by the authority and the Russian police charged the innocent supporters with batons. Incidentally, Spartak’s Ultras were also present during this incident and they retaliated by tearing out seats and hurling them onto the police officers. Soon, every stand was engulfed in some or the other violent activity as the game was stopped. After 20 minutes of absolute chaos, the police withdrew while the Ultras basked in their win against ‘tyranny’. In a classic example of ‘good’ winning over ‘evil’, the Ultras saw this opportunity as perfect to extend their arms and form a large scale organisation with groups almost everywhere.

Fast forwarding to the later parts of 2000s and these incidents were ‘normal’ as per the Ultras. Death for club colors was common and battles with other Ultra Groups as well as the police were a regular sight. Organised groups such as ‘The Gladiators’, ‘The Vikings’, and ‘The Red-Blue Warriors’ became a major threat to fan order and fights with the police were often instigated by them.

With money flowing into the Russian League, the format became more competitive and ultras decided to hold their own league, a league governed by violence and fights.

‘Win or Die’, the words a Roman gladiator lived by, have been taken up as a source of inspiration by the Spartak Ultras who now long for CSKA blood. On and off the pitch, CSKA are Spartak’s fiercest rivals. Traditionally, Spartak has always been the dominant team in Russia but since the turn of the millennium, CSKA has been gunning for the league title. As the teams fight for supremacy, so do the ultra firms. In 2001, the Moscow derby between these sides erupted into mass violence, amounting casualties, while 47 were arrested for dissent.

Playing away to a lowly side in 2001, CSKA Moscow’s Ultra tore seats and hurled them at their opponents as their team trailed by one goal. The intensity of the masses reached a pinnacle and extra military forces, armed with water cannons, had to be called in to control the situation.

Perhaps the most surprising culture showcased by these ferocious Russian Ultras, are their extended female wings. ‘Why should boys have all the fun?’ seems to be the obvious motto where the girls can get dirty too. Female fans train rigorously to toughen themselves up and partake in “all girl” fights that are planned to exact numbers.

To add to their tally of surprising things, each Ultra Group within Russia has its own gym, its own trainer and even its own dietitian, which helps to improve and evolve their fighting skills. As unbelievable as it may seem, Russian Ultras literally live and die by the sword.

It can be easily concluded that the Russian passion for violence runs deep. Football is just another motive to kick off at stadiums and is rarely seen as an outlet to enjoy. With Ultra culture running high, along with Racism and other left wing movements, Russia is the ultimate budding frontier for violent conduct.

Other Articles In This Series:Ai??

The ‘Ultra’ Culture In Serie A

The ‘Ultra’ Culture In BalkansAi??

The ‘Ultra’ Culture In Turkey