Russian Ultras in pictures: What football fans are facing as they head to the World Cup?
RUSSIAN Ultras are preparing for fans to arrive in the country for the World Cup in June, as fears of a violence at the tournament soar. What should football fans expect at the World Cup?
Moscow will host the 20th FIFA 2018 World Cup on June 14 and football-mania is hotting up.
However, the normal excitement which surrounds the world-famous tournament has been marred by growing fears for fan safety, with some of Russia's hooligans preparing for violence.
Russian Ultras have gained a worldwide reputation for violence and fighting across a long history of tournaments.
FIFA has released a warning to fans travelling to the tournament to be mindful and stay safe.
Ultras, on the other hand, have pledged to take the fight to English fans and warned they should prepare for blood.
Who are the Russian Ultras?
Russian Ultras are renowned for the violence and tend to express their 'ultimate fandom' through pyrotechnics, group marches to grounds and flags, banners and chants.
They gained notoriety during the French Euro 2016 tournament, when the Russian national football team was slapped with a suspended disqualification after major fan violence.
150 trained Ultras descended on the city of Marseille to unleash hell on England supporters.
Around 20 fans, including English supporters, were arrested during the violence in Marseille.
35 people were reportedly injured.
![Russian Ultras in pictures: What football fans are facing as they head to the World Cup?](https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/Russian-Ultras-in-pictures-What-football-fans-are-facing-as-they-head-to-the-World-Cup-944759.jpg)
Russian Ultras in pictures: What football fans are facing as they head to the World Cup?
![Ultras have been preparing in secluded wooded areas Ultras have been preparing in secluded wooded areas](https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/secondary/Ultras-have-been-preparing-in-secluded-wooded-areas-1303206.jpg)
Ultras have been preparing in secluded wooded areas
For this tournament, hundreds of ultras have pledged to "unleash hell" on rival fans and posted photos of their 'training camps' on the Russian social media site Vkontakte (VK).
On one VK group, "Russian Hooligans", a group moderator posted: "We are starting operation 'Mundial'. Our plan is already well underway."
Another warned English fans: "They'd better go to the gym and prepare themselves somehow."
Footage has emerged of Ultras from Russia preparing in wooded areas, fighting with bare-fists and weapons to get ready.
They are famous for fighting in a ‘wall’ formation, running at an opposing group of fans as a flat unit to beat down their opponents with unhinged violence.
![Ultras fight in a wall formation Ultras fight in a wall formation](https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/secondary/Ultras-fight-in-a-wall-formation-1303202.jpg)
Ultras fight in a wall formation
![Russian Ultras have announced they will unleash hell Russian Ultras have announced they will unleash hell](https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/secondary/Russian-Ultras-have-announced-they-will-unleash-hell-1303208.jpg)
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