England fans at World Cup 2018: Russian anti-terror forces mount massive operation to prevent possible attack in Kaliningrad

Taking no chances: trucks and concrete slabs block the way at the fan zone in Kaliningrad as an armed officer stands guard
Jeremy Selwyn
Justin Davenport27 June 2018

Russian anti-terror forces were today mounting a massive security operation to protect England football fans from a possible attack.

Officers with Kalashnikovs have been stationed alongside trucks blocking the roads outside the city centre fan zone, in the highest level of security on show so far in the World Cup.

Thick concrete blocks, known as Jersey barriers or K-rails, were in place to protect against potential ramming attacks at the fan zone in Kaliningrad’s Central Square, where 15,000 fans are expected to gather for the England v Belgium match tomorrow.

Soldiers, police with guns and batons, and special forces have also deployed around the 35,000-capacity stadium. In a training exercise, elite Spetsnaz units parachuted into the ground to deal with a hostage scenario.

Armed police on duty in Kaliningrad
Jeremy Selwyn

Russian authorities say they are taking “no chances” and the FSB — successor to the KGB — had uncovered “credible threats” via the internet. They say Islamic State sympathisers have vowed to attack fans and venues.

The FSB, responsible for counter-terrorism, border security and surveillance, also claims to have uncovered terror cells in Kaliningrad and St Petersburg.

Armed police at the fan zone in Kaliningrad
Jeremy Selwyn

Russian authorities reportedly made a string of arrests of suspects to “take them out of circulation” before the World Cup began.

It is believed Russia’s involvement in military operation in Syria has made World Cup cities and fans a target.

The government has deployed the army, navy and air force to boost security.

The fan zone in Kaliningrad

World Cup security chief Alexei Lavrishchev said: “The security measures are unprecedented. We are confident there are sufficient measures in place to ensure that football fans, tourists and Russian citizens will feel comfortable and safe.”

At a surveillance centre in Kaliningrad staff are studying CCTV images from more than 700 cameras. CCTV has been installed at the stadium and face recognition technology can be used to cross-check an individual with a police database within seconds of being caught on camera. Similar systems are in operation in the other host cities.

About 5,000 England fans are expected to descend on Kaliningrad compared to the fewer than 2,000 who attended each of the previous two group games.

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