Russian/neo-Nazi fight clubs grew audience using YouTube, isntagram
2 days ago
- #extremism
- #white-supremacy
- #Russia-Ukraine-war
- Russian street fighting organization Streets Fight Club (SFC) expanded into the US with help from American white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups.
- SFC promotes violent, for-profit combat events featuring white nationalist extremists, streamed live and recorded for pay-per-view.
- Proceeds from some events were advertised as supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, labeled as a 'special military operation'.
- Many SFC fighters display neo-Nazi and white supremacist symbols, including sonnenrads and valknuts, on apparel and tattoos.
- SFC’s YouTube channel was banned for violating hate speech policies after the Guardian’s inquiry.
- SFC’s US offshoot involved notorious white nationalist figures, including Thomas Denton ('Phoenix') and Thomas Grady ('Dagda').
- Active clubs, posing as recreational sports groups, serve as recruitment and training hubs for violent far-right extremists.
- Patriot Front and active club members participated in SFC events, with ties to extremist leaders like Ian Michael Elliott.
- SFC’s US expansion included events in Texas and Tennessee, promoted by figures like Avery Ross Ruiz ('Panzzer').
- Experts warn that active clubs’ growth increases the risk of targeted political violence against marginalized groups.