Why Are German Neo-Nazis Training in Russia?

Who Conducts the Paramilitary Training?
The training center and club organizers have very close ties to Russia’s Christian Orthodox extremists. The chairman of the club and founder of the training center is reportedly Denis Gariev, who is also one of the key figures behind the Russian Imperial Movement, or RIM, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States government in April 2020.

By its own account, the Russian Imperial Movement is a monarchist, “orthodox-patriotic,” “right-wing conservative” organization fighting for “white supremacy.” RIM is not considered a terrorist group in Russia. However, the country’s Ministry of Justice categorized the organization’s website, as well as a number of its online articles, as extremist.

While the RIM website is now temporarily inaccessible, their social media channels on Telegram and Vkontakte are still in operation. Statements posted there make plain that the movement explicitly shares racist views. Worldwide protests in the wake of the killing of black American George Floyd under the Black Lives Matter slogan are referred to as “hell,” with protesters “worshipping a black idol.” The spreading of the coronavirus is labeled “the so-called pandemic” and portrayed as an international conspiracy. The group also claims Russia’s salvation will be the “rebirth” of the Christian Orthodox monarchy, which, if necessary, has to be reinstated by force, “because an Orthodox Christian is always a fighter, too.”

What is Known about the Right-Wing Extremist Participants?
According to Focus magazine, some of the men are members of the Young Nationalists, the youth wing of the NPD, Germany’s oldest right-wing extremist party. As the youth wing only counts 280 members, it remains politically insignificant, although its participants are rather active when it comes to public action. The group has run would-be environmental protection campaigns, for example, in an attempt to win over young supporters.

Other participants in the paramilitary training in Russia are reportedly members of The Third Way, one of the most radical political parties in Germany. According to the Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, the party promotes a nationalist and racist ideology influenced by Nazism, and it rejects democracy. The Third Way was founded by members of a right-wing extremist association from southern Germany just as it was about to be banned by lawmakers — in Germany, the hurdles for banning a political party are much higher than those for banning a club or association.

How Have German Officials Responded?
The German Government has remained tight-lipped thus far. A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said that it was familiar with the issue but that there was no specific information about individuals suspected of receiving training at the paramilitary camp. Right-wing extremists conducting target practice and paramilitary sports exercises abroad continue to be a concern for German government officials.

In 2019, the German government stated in response to an inquiry by the Left Party that, for many years, German neo-Nazis had been seeking close cooperation with right-wing extremists abroad. Time and again, target practice sessions were publicized on social media. Due to the extremists’ penchant for weaponry, authorities say they have remained in contact with the intelligence services of the countries involved.

Hans Pfeifer, Mikhail Bushuev, and Vladimir Esipov are DW writers. This article is published courtesy of the Deutsche Welle (DW).