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Disguised in camouflage and balaclavas, and equipped with long knives, bayonets and hatchets, the paramilitary troops hunt down refugees and migrant in Strandzha Massif, a forested mountain range, Bulgaria, on the Turkish border.

Patches on their uniforms a coat of arms displaying a snarling wolfs head framed by Cyrillic text declare they are members of the Bulgarian National Movement Shipka, abbreviated as BNO Shipka.

The group are led by Vladimir Rusev, a former colonel who claims he fought in Chechnya as a volunteer alongside Russians.

Speaking to NBC News, the 58-year-old claims BNO Shipka have as many as 50,000 members in their ranks, however, this figure is unverifiable.

NBC

We are protecting the united borders of southern Europe and the European Union

Vladimir Rusev

He added: At the moment, we are the only defence Europe has.

We are the only ones doing something. Were not just protecting Bulgaria, we are protecting the united borders of southern Europe and the European Union.

Nikolai Ivanov, one of the groups founding members, said: Im not nationalistic or anything like that. Im just a patriot.

Many of these immigrants are not just some guys who are trying to run away from war. They are from age 17 to 35, with good physiques and training.

NBC

Its not a problem that they are Muslims. The problem is its a different civilisation. They dont think like us, they have a totally different view about life, about everything.

The 34-year-old proclaims his beliefs the European migrant crisis was part of a plan to allow ISIS militants to slip into the Continent and allow them to attack.

The BNO Shipka member adds the crisis also allows Turkish troops to be deployed in Bulgaria, under the Nato banner, effectively reclaiming a portion of the lost Ottoman Empire.

The group, despite facing stiff opposition from human rights groups, claim they act within the law, and have unofficial support from Bulgarias official border patrols.

Krassimir Kanev, a founder of human rights group Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, describes BNO Shipka as xenophobic nationalists who are violent, racist extremists.

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There are ongoing criminal proceedings against a number of these groups, he said, claiming Bulgarian vigilantes have previously detained migrants, sometimes beating and humiliating them before forcing them back across the border.

Bulgarias caretaker government are set to make a U-turn on laws allowing migrants with the right to asylum and international protections to conclude agreements on integration after public protests.

A government spokesman said they are preparing changes to the regulations and conditions for there integration of migrants and refugees.

The forthcoming proposed changes to the legislation would not be contrary to European regulations and other rules to which Bulgaria is a party to, he added.

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Armed vigilantes patrol Turkish border to keep migrants out of Europe - Express.co.uk