0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Russia.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06That's how cold it is - look.
0:00:06 > 0:00:13This programme contains strong language and scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Growing up as a kid in the '80s in London,
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Russia was painted as this weird big baddie.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Now with Vladimir Putin well into his third term as president,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27it's starting to feel like that again.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30NEWSREADERS: Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine...
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Vladimir Putin has ignored the dark warnings from the West.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35There's going to have to be a very different relationship
0:00:35 > 0:00:36between Britain and Russia.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39The West has imposed tough sanctions against Russia...
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Russia is responsible for the violence.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..and relations are the frostiest since the Cold War.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48So I'm here to find out why
0:00:48 > 0:00:52so many young people are rallying around the flag.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55MARCHERS CHANT
0:00:55 > 0:00:58In Moscow, nationalism is on the march.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07'And led by a president busy flexing his muscles on the world stage...'
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Literally rings with Putin's face on, that's incredible.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14'..Russian pride is at an all-time high.'
0:01:14 > 0:01:18RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:01:18 > 0:01:22But there's a darker side to Russian nationalism - much darker.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25I think I'm the only black man in Red Square right now!
0:01:28 > 0:01:30I've gained unique access to some of Russia's
0:01:30 > 0:01:33most high-profile ultra-nationalists...
0:01:33 > 0:01:35IN ENGLISH:
0:01:41 > 0:01:43..to discover what some young people
0:01:43 > 0:01:45think it means to be a true Russian...
0:01:45 > 0:01:48This one...is a masterpiece.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54..and to find out what happens when you love your country too much.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56IN ENGLISH:
0:02:08 > 0:02:12I've come to Moscow, the second biggest city in Europe
0:02:12 > 0:02:13and the political heart of Russia.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19When you think of Russia you sort of imagine snow, cold, big fluffy hats.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24I was expecting the cold, but when you feel it,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27you realise what the cold actually is!
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Relations between the Kremlin and the West are at their worst
0:02:30 > 0:02:33since the collapse of the Iron Curtain.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Economic sanctions have hit the economy hard,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38and anti-Western feeling is high.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41But despite all this, here in Russia, Putin has
0:02:41 > 0:02:43an almost 90% approval rating,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47making him one of the most popular leaders in the world.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Not entirely sure if I'd pick a Putin mug.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52There's even Putin Russia dolls - look at that!
0:02:52 > 0:02:54HE LAUGHS
0:02:54 > 0:02:58And many young people are finding their voice, rallying around
0:02:58 > 0:03:03the president and the flag as a way of fighting back against the West.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Every garment has a political message.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09The fashion show is hosted by Set,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12a movement of young creatives who are using their
0:03:12 > 0:03:15unique talents to showcase Russia on the world stage.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19And yes, that is Putin's face plastered on almost every garment.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:03:26 > 0:03:29The place is packed with trendy young hipsters,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32but they're here for politics as well as fashion.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Set are one of the fastest growing youth organisations in Russia,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53and their propaganda is making politics cool.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00MUZAK PLAYS IN LIFT
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I've been invited back to their head office in the centre of the city,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and I'm keen to find out more about them.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08DING
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- Hello.- Hello. - Hey, how you doing? I'm Reg.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17I was waiting for you, nice to meet you.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- Nice to meet you, what's your name? - My name is Anna.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Hello, Anna, lovely to meet you. So this is your offices?
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Yes, this is Set. I'm sure you will love it.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29There seems to be quite a lot of pictures of Putin here.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30- Yeah.- Why is that?
0:04:30 > 0:04:35Because we love our government, and everything that is done
0:04:35 > 0:04:39is done right, and all of it is inspired by the new Russia.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42The new Russia. What's the new Russia then?
0:04:42 > 0:04:46It's the Russia with Putin in power,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50all people here are very patriotic, they love their country
0:04:50 > 0:04:56and they're proud of doing something which reflects the country's history,
0:04:56 > 0:04:57the country's values,
0:04:57 > 0:05:02and it is supported all round the country, also round the world.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Set has 11 offices in major cities across Russia,
0:05:06 > 0:05:11and thousands of young people have been recruited to their cause.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I take it you're a big fan of Putin? I mean, he's on your T-shirt.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- Yeah.- Do you have a tattoo?
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Why is that I literally can't go five steps without seeing
0:05:19 > 0:05:22a picture of Putin in this office?
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Because he is our leader.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28He is not a political construction like President Obama
0:05:28 > 0:05:36or David Cameron, Vladimir Putin thinks on another level.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40Could you explain the images here of Putin with animals?
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Why are there so many pictures of him with animals all in one place?
0:05:44 > 0:05:46RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:05:55 > 0:05:58To me, the way they portray Putin seems pretty weird,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01it's almost like a form of worship.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03But they seem to see him not just as a man,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06but as a concept, used to promote Russian strength and attitude.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:06:16 > 0:06:18This just gets weirder and weirder.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21'There's even a card game where Putin is the hero.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23'And guess who the baddies are.'
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Is that supposed to be David Cameron?
0:06:36 > 0:06:40I don't know if I believe that, but whatever.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42In Russia, loving your country
0:06:42 > 0:06:45and your president is actively encouraged.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50The views I'm hearing are fast becoming mainstream.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54It seems as though there is this idea that he is
0:06:54 > 0:06:57a loved man by everybody in the country, even the animals,
0:06:57 > 0:06:59where does that idea come from?
0:06:59 > 0:07:01That's the reality, that's not the idea.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03That's actually how it is.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Do you think it's strange that I'm surprised,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07or should I not be surprised?
0:07:07 > 0:07:12That's strange that you're surprised, cos I think it's normal.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14It's amazing to see the facilities you've got, you've got
0:07:14 > 0:07:20plasmas everywhere, editing suites, photoshoots, it's amazing,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24but what is the real reason behind what it is you do?
0:07:24 > 0:07:29We have very interesting purposes of creating world leaders,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33and I think we're starting to succeed in it.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36And do you think that world leaders will come out of this group?
0:07:36 > 0:07:40I'm sure. I hope I will be one of them in the fashion industry.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Art and propaganda have always gone hand in hand in Russia.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51But in the 21st century, it's not just traditional methods that
0:07:51 > 0:07:54young people are using to portray ideas.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Russians are more active on social media than almost any other country
0:07:58 > 0:08:02in the world, and today I'm crashing the photoshoot of
0:08:02 > 0:08:06a young nationalist who's using just that to spread her political agenda.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17(Why's she got an axe?)
0:08:19 > 0:08:22I don't know whether to...say hello or run away.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27Each to their own.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Nationalists like 19-year-old Masha believe
0:08:32 > 0:08:34traditional Russian values are under threat.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38Her day job is working for Putin's ruling party in Russia's parliament,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41and I'm wondering if that's where she borrowed her prop collection.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Ah, now I know quite a lot of people that work in fashion,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49and I can honestly say I've never seen one of these
0:08:49 > 0:08:53at a photoshoot! How does this fit into what you're shooting?
0:08:53 > 0:08:56RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:09:02 > 0:09:07Right, OK. Well, are you going to change into something else then,
0:09:07 > 0:09:08get another outfit on?
0:09:11 > 0:09:12You've got to go for the gun.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- Come on, let's get the camo on, love, let's go for it.- OK.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17Brilliant.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23This is a turn for the books, isn't it?
0:09:23 > 0:09:28I just didn't think there'd be bloody axes! And guns!
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Arr!
0:09:31 > 0:09:35But behind the cheesy props, there's a serious message.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Masha uses social media to promote her ideas of
0:09:38 > 0:09:41a stronger Russia to a worldwide audience,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and has become something of an internet star.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03She believes her images will unite Russians against the great enemy.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15What made you start taking pictures of yourself in
0:10:15 > 0:10:18several different outfits and posting them on social networks?
0:10:45 > 0:10:50Masha hopes her online persona can start a movement to reunite
0:10:50 > 0:10:53all former republics of the Soviet Union into one country again.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10So, essentially, you mean returning to the Soviet Union,
0:11:10 > 0:11:11is that what you mean?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Despite what our governments might think,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Masha sees Putin's invasion of the Crimea and the support
0:11:23 > 0:11:26for Ukrainian rebels as steps towards
0:11:26 > 0:11:28returning Russia to its former glory.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31When the Soviet Union broke up in 1991,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34one country became 15 separate states,
0:11:34 > 0:11:40and countries like Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan came into being.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42But Russia's economy was always the strongest,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45and thousands of people, from the poorer new countries
0:11:45 > 0:11:47surrounding it, flooded in in search of work.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52There's now around 11 million immigrants living in Russia,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56and just like everywhere else in the world, they're an easy scapegoat
0:11:56 > 0:12:01even though many once lived in the same country.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04More than half of Russians now hold anti-immigration views,
0:12:04 > 0:12:09and police keep close tabs on anyone whose face doesn't fit.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I'm outside this busy rail station, and it's interesting,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16because there are quite a lot of police.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18They're definitely making their presence felt,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20because they seem to only be stopping
0:12:20 > 0:12:22what are quite obviously immigrants.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Fuck. There you go.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29The last guy they picked up,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32he is now getting thrown in the back of the meatwagon.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38It's really happening, and it's happening right here.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I'm getting a taste of what it might actually be like
0:12:41 > 0:12:44to be an immigrant here in Moscow.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48But it's not just the police most immigrants are scared of.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52After the Soviet Union collapsed, numerous ultra-nationalist groups
0:12:52 > 0:12:56sprung up to protect against what they saw as a foreign invasion.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02And for years, this man, Dmitry Demushkin,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04has been at their centre.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09He once led the Slavic Union, a group of over 25,000 neo-Nazis
0:13:09 > 0:13:12which Putin shut down for being TOO extreme.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16He now leads another extreme nationalist group
0:13:16 > 0:13:18called, simply, The Russians.
0:13:18 > 0:13:24They're taking to the streets tomorrow, and I want to be there.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27One of their members has uploaded a video to rally the troops.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:13:49 > 0:13:50The guy's name is Vadim.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53I've tracked him down, and after delicate negotiations,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55he's agreed to meet me on the march.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01Vadim's my way into the group, and hopefully its leader Demushkin.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02This march, on the face of it,
0:14:02 > 0:14:08it seems like I should be the last person attending!
0:14:08 > 0:14:09You know what I mean?
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I'm in the middle of Moscow,
0:14:11 > 0:14:12I'm going to a march on nationalism,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14and I've got a feeling
0:14:14 > 0:14:17there aren't going to be many other black guys there with camera crews.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19So I MIGHT stand out just a little bit.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I'm very aware that there is no way of knowing
0:14:24 > 0:14:28what I'm walking into, and that makes me feel uneasy.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It's the day of the march, and to be completely honest,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45I'm not entirely sure what to expect.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Ten years ago, Putin himself started this march
0:14:51 > 0:14:53to celebrate Russian unity,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57but the ultra-nationalists quickly hijacked it.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59They're marching in Lyublino, a working-class suburb
0:14:59 > 0:15:02in the south of the city and a nationalist heartland.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Wow.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13You can see packs of people congregating in different places,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16it feels like we're right at the beginning of...
0:15:18 > 0:15:19..of it all.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Look at that.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Just across the street there are buses and buses full of coppers.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33Look at that - packed.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38In the past, the march has turned violent,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40so the authorities aren't taking any chances.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44They've flooded the area with police.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49And like at all public gatherings here,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53they're making EVERYONE walk through metal detectors.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- POLICE OFFICER SPEAKS RUSSIAN - Microphone.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04I can't seem to find Vadim,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08but loads of people are taking an interest in me.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10It seems like every time I turn around,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12there's a different camera in my face.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Either it's a photographer
0:16:14 > 0:16:16or one of these professional-looking news crews.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Then a young journalist tells me why.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23My face is all over Russian social media.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25IN ENGLISH:
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Oh, really?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- Really. - What are they saying, can I see?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- One second. - Apparently I've gone viral.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Lots of people on Twitter are talking about the stupid black guy!
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- Let's have a look.- No, no, no. - There's a picture of me here.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- What are they saying? - That you're a brave man.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47You look worried for me.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48A little bit.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50IN ENGLISH:
0:17:16 > 0:17:17THEY CHANT IN RUSSIAN
0:17:30 > 0:17:33The demonstration is magnet for many different groups, but they all
0:17:33 > 0:17:38have one thing in common - a belief in Russian supremacy.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Suddenly being in the mix just changes things massively,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45the dynamic is really different, because you can really feel
0:17:45 > 0:17:46and hear just how passionate people are.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52There's a massive pack of young guys in the centre of the march,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55they all seem to be covering their faces now.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56CHANTING CONTINUES
0:18:01 > 0:18:02'The atmosphere's changing fast,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06'and I need to find Vadim as quickly as possible.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09'He's my only contact with these extremists,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12'and I've got a feeling I might need his protection.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16'Then, suddenly, I spot him.'
0:18:16 > 0:18:18I'm pretty sure that's Vadim over there.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Vadim? Hello.- Hello.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- Whoa, that was Viking-like. How are you doing?- Fine, thanks.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Already it seems as though lots of people are taking
0:18:27 > 0:18:32an interest in myself, cos, quite obviously, I'm not from Russia.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35How do you think I'm going to be received today?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39IN ENGLISH:
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- That's it.- You sure? You sure about that?
0:18:56 > 0:19:02You don't seem so sure! You're not so sure. You're not so sure.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13'I'm sticking to Vadim like glue,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'and he agrees to take me into the heart of the march.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25'But then I see Dmitry Demushkin, the nationalist leader,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28'and it seems he's just as eager to talk to me.'
0:19:30 > 0:19:33RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- TRANSLATOR:- How is your health? Are you doing fine?
0:19:35 > 0:19:36LAUGHTER
0:19:36 > 0:19:40My health is good, I'm alive and well and being look after.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57What did he say?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- Calm environment, nobody's going to...- Oh, right, OK.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03I think I've become part of the broadcast
0:20:03 > 0:20:05and part of the march suddenly, as well.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07We're, as you can see, surrounded by cameras,
0:20:07 > 0:20:13and Dmitry has decided to make a point of the fact that I'm here,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17because me being here says that this is a friendly march.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Well, this has taken a massive turn, I, erm...
0:20:27 > 0:20:29..suddenly feel really uncomfortable.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32We've been hijacked.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34'It's dawned on me why they've come here.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38'Demushkin's keen to get into mainstream politics.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42'Social media is such an effective propaganda tool, being seen with
0:20:42 > 0:20:46'a black guy is going to do wonders for the illusion of tolerance.'
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- Vadim, how's it going?- Fine.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52What are you doing? Are you taking pictures and putting them online?
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Did you think that he was going to try and get me on camera then?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35If Vadim wants me here to show how tolerant nationalists are,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38it's clear the message hasn't got through to everyone.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42The fascist side of this nationalist pack is coming out.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47The most scary thing about it is just how young they are.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01They're walking through an incredibly residential area,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04and if you are an immigrant staying in one of these flats,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06how does that make you feel?
0:22:06 > 0:22:10How part of this country do you feel? How safe do you feel?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- TRANSLATOR: - Obviously not nice comments.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Obviously not nice comments -
0:22:24 > 0:22:26something about bananas.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27Wow.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36If these signs are anything to go by,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38it's all to do with Asian men and women, and Islam.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Because they've basically got a three-headed monster
0:22:43 > 0:22:47made up of what looks like Islamic men.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49It's just ridiculous!
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Fucking hell...
0:23:00 > 0:23:02So there's another column here,
0:23:02 > 0:23:08and those flags actually really...really look like swastikas.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Do you mind being on camera? - ..talk to you?- Yeah.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15What you want? What you want to know?
0:23:15 > 0:23:17OK, what's your reason for being here today?
0:23:17 > 0:23:20You can answer in Russian. Shall we get going? Let's catch up.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25MAN LAUGHS
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- LAUGHTER CONTINUES - White power!
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Jesus.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38IN ENGLISH:
0:23:43 > 0:23:46After about two hours, the march comes to an end,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48and the crowds quickly break up.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Around 20 people have been arrested for expressing
0:23:53 > 0:23:55extreme right-wing views.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58The rest return to their everyday lives.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Not far from where the march finished, is a place where
0:24:08 > 0:24:10many of the extreme nationalists like to hang out.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Dmitry and Vadim have asked me to meet them at this little,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19well, it looks like a community centre really.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21I don't know exactly what we're walking into, but he's
0:24:21 > 0:24:28demanded that I join them and that I..."have a chat" with them here.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34There's Vad. You all right? How are you doing?
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- Hello.- Where's Dmitry? Is he inside? - Er, I think he was inside.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Oh, right. Are you joining us?
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Cheers, Vad.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Hey, there he is. How are you doing?
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Dmitry says he's changed since his days in the Slavic Union.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03He's got mainstream political ambitions
0:25:03 > 0:25:06and is keen to show a softer side.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:25:10 > 0:25:14On the march that you got organised, I heard people chanting
0:25:14 > 0:25:16"Russia for Russians" and "Keep Russia white",
0:25:16 > 0:25:19were you aware of that sort of chant happening?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33So what's your point of view on the way that
0:25:33 > 0:25:35the country's being run then?
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Vadim, why are you filming?
0:25:56 > 0:26:02Just because it's rather interesting for our viewers.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06It's funny, during the march you made a point of my presence
0:26:06 > 0:26:10by sort of showing me off to the press, why was that?
0:26:27 > 0:26:30You do realise I'm not African-American, don't you?
0:26:35 > 0:26:38No, Afro-English? I'm British.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Yeah?
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Why did you think I was African-American?
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Glad I could help.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Vadim, it seems you've already put up that video of our conversation.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35Oh, that was just a private message, I didn't show that on, eh...
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- So you've not put it on Facebook? - No, no.- Are you sure?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Pretty sure I saw you put it on Russian Facebook.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57So what exactly does it mean to be a nationalist today then?
0:28:04 > 0:28:05And who are your people exactly?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16It's been a long and stressful day.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18I'm not sure what to make of Demushkin,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21but meeting him has only strengthened my determination
0:28:21 > 0:28:24to find out more about his extreme form of nationalism.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Most of the 11 million immigrants living in Russia
0:28:44 > 0:28:48are from the Muslim republics of Central Asia,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51which used to be part of the old Soviet Union.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54These are the people Demushkin has a real problem with.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58I've arranged to meet Omar.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01He runs a popular blog detailing many of the issues that
0:29:01 > 0:29:04immigrants like him have to deal with living in Russia.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07IN TRANSLATION:
0:29:18 > 0:29:21So why's it the migrants and not Russian natives making
0:29:21 > 0:29:24these incredible buildings that are changing the face of Moscow?
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Although immigrants from these countries don't need
0:29:41 > 0:29:45visas to come here, they do need work permits, but more than
0:29:45 > 0:29:48four million don't have these and are working illegally.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51So on a site like this then, how many people would be illegal
0:29:51 > 0:29:53versus the people that have the right to be here?
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Russia has the second-largest immigrant population in the world
0:30:05 > 0:30:09and this is causing huge resentment among many native Russians.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36'Omar wants me to meet Ibrahim.'
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- Reggie.- Hello, nice to meet you. Reggie.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Ibrahim, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Do you want to get something to drink?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Great.
0:30:44 > 0:30:50'He came to Russia from Uzbekistan in 2009, hoping for a better life.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55'Instead, he was brutally attacked by extreme nationalists.'
0:30:55 > 0:30:58RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Why...why do you think they attacked you?
0:31:33 > 0:31:35What was their reason? What was their motivation?
0:32:32 > 0:32:36There's no reliable figures on how many migrants are attacked
0:32:36 > 0:32:38as most go unreported.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42But online, ultra-nationalist groups
0:32:42 > 0:32:45share trophy videos on social media sites,
0:32:45 > 0:32:51showcasing their absolute hatred for anyone who isn't Russian.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57I've arranged to meet members
0:32:57 > 0:33:01of one of the most notorious of these gangs, Restrukt.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04- Hello. Alexis?- Alexei.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- How are you doing? Reggie. Nice to meet you. Lisa?- Hello, yes.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- Hello, good to meet you both. Shall we, um...?- Let's go.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12So, how old are you guys, then?
0:33:12 > 0:33:1317, 24.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15- So you're quite young.- Yeah.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18I'm a bit surprised at your age that you're so sure
0:33:18 > 0:33:21about how you feel in terms of nationalism, et cetera.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22- I mean...- Mm-hm.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24Is that common for people of your age?
0:33:24 > 0:33:26IN ENGLISH:
0:33:30 > 0:33:34Were you, at 17, just as confident about your views?
0:33:34 > 0:33:36RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:33:48 > 0:33:52For Alexei and Lisa, nationalism is not just a mind-set,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55it's a way of life - including what they wear.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00IN ENGLISH:
0:34:01 > 0:34:03RUSSIAN IN TRNSLATION:
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Surrounded by nationalist symbolism, and even allusions to nazism,
0:34:21 > 0:34:26it's scary that people so young want to be part of this family.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29Alex, I exercise,
0:34:29 > 0:34:32and when I take my coat off, I don't look like you.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36Fair enough.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38So how exactly did this all begin for you?
0:34:38 > 0:34:39Where did these feelings come from?
0:34:49 > 0:34:54Why is it so important to you, then, to be proud of being Russian,
0:34:54 > 0:34:55be proud of where you're from?
0:35:05 > 0:35:07What would you like Russia to be like, then?
0:35:07 > 0:35:09What's your Russian future, if you were given the choice?
0:35:15 > 0:35:19Well, not everyone is exactly comfortable with your point of view.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Have you ever got in trouble for your views?
0:35:21 > 0:35:23RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:35:37 > 0:35:39You're not allowed to leave Russia?
0:35:48 > 0:35:49SHOUTING FROM CROWD
0:35:51 > 0:35:54That night, Alexei and Lisa invite me to a boxing match
0:35:54 > 0:35:56organised by their nationalist friends.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03But what they stand for is really playing on my mind.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09It's really loud in there. I can barely hear.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11A little earlier on, you spoke about your dream Russia
0:36:11 > 0:36:13being white, being nationalist
0:36:13 > 0:36:16and people being proud of traditional values.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Um...if you were to move to another country,
0:36:19 > 0:36:21do you think you'll be able to live in a place
0:36:21 > 0:36:22that feels quite the opposite of that?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:36:33 > 0:36:37My grandfather's an Englishman, he's a white guy,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41and my family have been mixing for generations, blacks and whites.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50FEMALE TRANSLATOR RESPONDS
0:37:32 > 0:37:34So does that make me a mongrel, then?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53So my children are at risk of diseases and abnormalities?
0:37:59 > 0:38:01OK. All right. Well, um...
0:38:01 > 0:38:04shall we go back in and see if we can catch the fight?
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Do you know what? I'm going to pop outside, all right?
0:38:25 > 0:38:26I'm going to shoot off.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39I don't think I could stay in there for much longer,
0:38:39 > 0:38:40if I'm totally honest.
0:38:40 > 0:38:47That...ignorance was just making me...struggle
0:38:47 > 0:38:52with continuing to communicate with someone so backwards.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55They're fighting for a Russia that they deem to be pure,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57and that isn't about lifestyle.
0:38:57 > 0:38:58It's about colour.
0:39:02 > 0:39:08Being in Russia is...to be really honest with you, tough,
0:39:08 > 0:39:13because...this is a place that isn't used to people that look like me.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18And...it's really starting to wear on me.
0:39:25 > 0:39:26The past few days have led me
0:39:26 > 0:39:30to a much darker version of nationalism than I expected.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35And as one of Russia's most high-profile nationalists,
0:39:35 > 0:39:40I feel I've got to challenge Demushkin on what I've seen.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43But to get to him, I'm going to have to go through Vadim.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Are you all right?- Huh? - Are you all right?- Yeah, I'm good.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55You've been very quiet for the last 20 minutes or so.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04I was never...noisy, or something.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- Come on.- That's us?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13'They've used ME. Now I'm going to use them.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17'Even if it means spending more time with someone I don't trust.'
0:40:17 > 0:40:18- Be my guest.- Thank you.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23Come on.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- That's it.- This is your room?- Yeah.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28I see.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Holy cow, what's all this here?
0:40:31 > 0:40:32That's my little hobby.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34REGGIE LAUGHS
0:40:34 > 0:40:37It's more than a little one! Let me put my gloves down.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39In fact, I should probably put my gloves on
0:40:39 > 0:40:40so I don't leave any prints.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41You noticed knives.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43You didn't notice this.
0:40:43 > 0:40:44HE LAUGHS
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- Holy shit. Are they real guns? - No, BBs.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Can you understand why I'd be really surprised
0:40:51 > 0:40:52that you have this many weapons?
0:40:52 > 0:40:56I mean, why do you need a butterfly knife?
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- It's not butterfly. - What kind of knife is this?
0:40:58 > 0:41:01That is just a simple...
0:41:02 > 0:41:04pocket knife.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- Nothing special.- Jesus.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19- Having so many knifes, to me... - For EDC - everyday carrying -
0:41:19 > 0:41:23I have much more...smaller knife.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26- So you have that in your pocket at all times?- Every day.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30You know, you wake up in the morning
0:41:30 > 0:41:35and...you get used to take shower or clean your teeth.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39And I get used to... taking a knife with me.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42I sit in the office and someone has a birthday,
0:41:42 > 0:41:44he brought...
0:41:44 > 0:41:46cake
0:41:46 > 0:41:49and someone has to slice it.
0:41:49 > 0:41:56And the practice shows that among 15 men in my office -
0:41:56 > 0:41:57nobody has knife.
0:41:57 > 0:42:03And they every time ask me, "Vadim, do you have knife?"
0:42:03 > 0:42:07I say, "What a stupid question, of course I have a knife!"
0:42:07 > 0:42:14That's it. I think knives are one of the most beautiful human creations.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18This one...is masterpiece.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20It's completely legal in Russia
0:42:20 > 0:42:25and it's strong and...useful.
0:42:25 > 0:42:26What would you use it for?
0:42:26 > 0:42:30This is best combat knife ever.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34These knives, we are training in rubber...
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- Training?- Knife fight.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40I am knife-fight instructor.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- Don't be scared.- Right. OK.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50All right, so you collect these... and you train.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53And have you ever had to use your knife in an emergency on the street?
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Never.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58And even I had...
0:42:58 > 0:43:01I would never talk about it.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04That's a forbidden question.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I'm sorry.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- Forbidden where?- Everywhere.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14You have no right to ask for it
0:43:14 > 0:43:19and you must to ask...not to ask it.
0:43:22 > 0:43:23So if you had used your knife,
0:43:23 > 0:43:25- you would never talk about it? - Yes, of course.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29- Have you used your knife?- Never.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33In wrong cases, never.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Vadim has invited me to a club -
0:43:39 > 0:43:41a knife-fighting club -
0:43:41 > 0:43:43and we're meeting his mates in the metro.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46VADIM SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN
0:43:58 > 0:44:01It was only later I found out
0:44:01 > 0:44:03that Vadim was trying to censor his friends...
0:44:03 > 0:44:05RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:44:09 > 0:44:12..and keep a lid on what many obviously felt about me being there.
0:44:18 > 0:44:19Vadim's just pissed off.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49VADIM SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN
0:44:53 > 0:44:56If I'd have known what he was saying at the time,
0:44:56 > 0:44:59I'd have been far more wary about joining the fight club.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18I'm nervous enough as it is,
0:45:18 > 0:45:19but then Demushkin shows up
0:45:19 > 0:45:23and it becomes clear he is the one leading the training.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:46:31 > 0:46:34Coming from London, where knife crime is such a problem,
0:46:34 > 0:46:36it's really shocking here
0:46:36 > 0:46:39that they're actually teaching kids how to use them.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41- What's your name?- Gyorgy.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44- How old are you?- 14.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46- Nice to meet you. You're 14?- Yeah.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Wow. 14. I mean, you're much younger than I thought.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51What's your reason for joining this class?
0:46:51 > 0:46:52Uh...
0:46:52 > 0:46:55RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:47:06 > 0:47:08Wow. And was this guy an immigrant?
0:47:12 > 0:47:14You're going to go back? OK, thanks, nice to meet you.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19There's a kid I just met
0:47:19 > 0:47:21- who was 14 years old.- 14?- Yeah.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24What's the minimum age you can allow to join the club?
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Mm...
0:47:27 > 0:47:3014 years old. Why not?
0:47:30 > 0:47:33RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:47:33 > 0:47:35You want me up?
0:47:35 > 0:47:37Do I need this?
0:47:40 > 0:47:42HE ADDRESSES SOMEONE IN RUSSIAN
0:47:43 > 0:47:44Here we go.
0:47:47 > 0:47:53And he's got his guy filming it for his website or YouTube or something.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01- INTERPRETER:- Strongly...
0:48:08 > 0:48:09- Grab stronger.- All right.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21Have you ever been attacked before, then?
0:48:30 > 0:48:32And who was it that was attacking you?
0:48:44 > 0:48:46Five...
0:48:46 > 0:48:50Five of them. And how did you survive that attack?
0:48:50 > 0:48:52INTERPRETER SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN
0:48:56 > 0:48:58They're only using rubber knives,
0:48:58 > 0:49:01but these guys look like they know exactly what it takes
0:49:01 > 0:49:04to inflict serious damage on someone,
0:49:04 > 0:49:07and with knife attacks on immigrants going up,
0:49:07 > 0:49:10I can't help but feel this kind of training is doing nothing
0:49:10 > 0:49:12to make the situation any better.
0:49:14 > 0:49:18But it's not just economic migrants who are in danger.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21Francis, a political refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
0:49:21 > 0:49:23was welcomed by Russia
0:49:23 > 0:49:26but attacked simply because his face doesn't fit.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29- Hello.- Hello.- Hey - Francis?- Hey.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31Pleasure to meet you. How are you doing?
0:49:31 > 0:49:32- I'm good, thank you. - Nice to meet you.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35- Can I just grab a seat here? - Yeah, of course.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36Sure.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39So, what's the story? What happened, Francis?
0:49:39 > 0:49:42I was going to take the bus, going to go home,
0:49:42 > 0:49:46and I saw three guys
0:49:46 > 0:49:47and they called me, "Nigger...
0:49:49 > 0:49:50"..come here."
0:49:52 > 0:49:55I came and I say, "My name is Francis.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57"Don't call me nigger."
0:49:57 > 0:50:04He said it again, "Nigger, can I take a picture of you and my friend?"
0:50:04 > 0:50:08I said, "Please, my name is Francis. Don't call me nigger."
0:50:09 > 0:50:11"OK, OK, OK, OK."
0:50:11 > 0:50:16They took pictures and, um...after, they said to me,
0:50:16 > 0:50:19"Nigger, come, come here."
0:50:19 > 0:50:25And they said to me, "Man, you are nigger, but you dress well."
0:50:25 > 0:50:30In that moment, he...he got a big knife.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33A knife, like this.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36He said to me, "Give me your coat."
0:50:36 > 0:50:41I said, "I can't, it's very cold. Please...no."
0:50:41 > 0:50:43In that time, they begin to kick me.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48That man were big, very big.
0:50:48 > 0:50:51He put the sword to my body.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54He opened, like a pig, my body.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58I've got the scar, here till here.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02And begin to kick me. They kick me, they kick me. I was...
0:51:02 > 0:51:04HE SIGHS
0:51:06 > 0:51:09And I wake up at the hospital.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16I'm so sorry to hear what you've, um...what you've experienced.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19Why do you think that they have such an issue
0:51:19 > 0:51:21with immigrants such as yourself?
0:51:22 > 0:51:23I don't know.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29We are the same, you see.
0:51:29 > 0:51:34No difference, it's only in the colour of our skin.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37We are also human being.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41I don't understand nationalist peoples.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44To hate immigrants...
0:51:46 > 0:51:49I don't understand that kind of behaviour.
0:51:49 > 0:51:52Strange. Very strange.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57When you hear something like Francis' story
0:51:57 > 0:52:00and you've experienced the knife-fighting club like I have,
0:52:00 > 0:52:03there's a horrible connection between the two.
0:52:04 > 0:52:09Dmitry is a man leading a whole heap of nationalist men and women.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13And if it is extreme nationalists
0:52:13 > 0:52:16who are attacking people like Francis,
0:52:16 > 0:52:21if Dmitry isn't stopping it and stopping that kind of activity,
0:52:21 > 0:52:23he's...he's partly responsible.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28I'm leaving Moscow tomorrow,
0:52:28 > 0:52:31but the extra time I've spent with Vadim's paid off.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34Demushkin's agreed to meet for one final chat.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40The knife-fighting part of what it means to be nationalist -
0:52:40 > 0:52:43in your eyes, anyway - seems to be quite a big thing.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46It seems to be quite important to you and what you stand for.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49I mean, you've got a knife on your T-shirt today,
0:52:49 > 0:52:51you lead this knife-fighting club as well
0:52:51 > 0:52:55and I've met immigrants who have been attacked by nationalists
0:52:55 > 0:52:57and...nearly died.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59Ah...
0:52:59 > 0:53:02RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:53:23 > 0:53:25Regardless of what the immigrants are doing,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28you're essentially the head of the nationalist movement -
0:53:28 > 0:53:30you're a figurehead, you're a face for it.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33Can you not see that there's some sort of responsibility
0:53:33 > 0:53:34that you should take?
0:54:05 > 0:54:08So do you think that you'll be the leader of the nationalists for ever?
0:54:08 > 0:54:10Is this something that you see yourself doing
0:54:10 > 0:54:12until you're an old man?
0:54:28 > 0:54:30All right. Look, um...thank you for talking to me again.
0:54:36 > 0:54:37All right.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47Thank you very much, thank you. Take care. Thanks.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05Nationalism has always been strong in Russia
0:55:05 > 0:55:08and the extremists only really occupy the fringes.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12But now, with polls suggesting that around 80% of Muscovites
0:55:12 > 0:55:15favour the deportation of immigrant workers,
0:55:15 > 0:55:17this may be changing.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21And with the far right gaining ground not just in Russia,
0:55:21 > 0:55:25but across Europe, what Demushkin stands for
0:55:25 > 0:55:28may worryingly become closer to the mainstream.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30There is absolutely nothing wrong with
0:55:30 > 0:55:32being proud of who you are and where you come from.
0:55:32 > 0:55:33There's nothing wrong with
0:55:33 > 0:55:36being proud of your heritage and your culture.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39I think the...I think the problem with nationalism
0:55:39 > 0:55:42is that there is a massive dark side to it.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44There are a lot of people that I've met
0:55:44 > 0:55:47who aren't necessarily just proud of who they are,
0:55:47 > 0:55:51but they also feel that the land that they're from
0:55:51 > 0:55:53should belong to just them.
0:55:53 > 0:55:59And what that is causing is a...a scary reaction
0:55:59 > 0:56:01to anybody that isn't Russian.
0:56:02 > 0:56:03MUSIC: Tremors by SOHN
0:56:03 > 0:56:06# Flood lines we etched when we merged into one... #
0:56:08 > 0:56:10Next time...
0:56:10 > 0:56:11RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:56:16 > 0:56:20..I'm in St Petersburg to see what young gays face in a country
0:56:20 > 0:56:22where their sexuality is being outlawed.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25- If the law allowed it... - Yeah, if the law allowed...
0:56:25 > 0:56:28- ..what would he do? - He would kill those people.
0:56:28 > 0:56:30By stone, like the Bible.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32RUSSIAN IN TRANSLATION:
0:56:34 > 0:56:38Homosexuality is disgusting.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40Homophobia is beautiful and natural.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45# ..Vibrations of tremors that shook long ago
0:56:45 > 0:56:50# Vibrations of tremors that shook long ago
0:56:50 > 0:56:54# Vibrations of tremors that shook long ago
0:56:54 > 0:56:59# Vibrations of tremors that shook long ago
0:56:59 > 0:57:04# Vibrations of tremors that shook long ago. #