80 Years Post-Conflict: The Debatable Ride of the "Night Wolves" to Brandenburg
Ultranationalist Motorcycle Group 'Night Wolves' Arrive in Brandenburg - Bikers from the nationalist group "Night Wolves" arrive in Brandenburg
Motorcycle enthusiasts from the pro-Russian group, the "Night Wolves," paid their respects at two Soviet memorials in Brandenburg. These motorcyclists, numbering around 60, laid wreaths in Schönwalde and Baruth before continuing towards Berlin, with police in attendance. Earlier, these bikers and their 50 motorcycles halted briefly in Dresden.
These Russian bikers embarked on their journey from Moscow at the end of April, aiming to complete a questionable "victory ride" from Moscow to Berlin. In 2015, German authorities revoked the visas of several members and barred their entry.
The "Night Wolves" are a notorious Russian biker crew that have pledged their allegiance to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the annexation of Crimea. Their supremacist nationalism is infamous.
Originating in the Soviet Union in 1989, the Night Wolves organize Russian and international biker rallies and festivals, projecting a patriotic, martial image that dovetails with Russian state narratives[3]. Every year around the Commemoration Day (May 8-9), which marks the conclusion of World War II in Europe, the Night Wolves embark on a symbolic “Victory Ride” on motorcycles from Moscow to Berlin. This pilgrimage honors the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany but has courted substantial controversy, particularly in nations along their journey such as Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic[1][5].
The 2025 ride, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the war’s end, is no exception. The German police have intensified security measures and briefed officers to avert possible incitements during the event, owing to worries about Russian propaganda and the glorification of actions that breach international law, notably Russia’s ongoing hostilities in Ukraine[2]. The Night Wolves champion this conflict, exacerbating their questionable status in Europe.
European Union sanctions, imposed to deter Russian biker crews like the Night Wolves for backing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, impede their entry into the EU. Yet they persist in orchestrating these rides, even with participation from Slovak and Czech branches that have been subjected to judicial liquidations and leadership dismissals[2][5]. Their tour through Brandenburg and other German provinces is tightly supervised to prevent conflicts. Nevertheless, concerns about the political symbolism and potential for pro-Russian messaging during these observances persist[1][2][5].
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the political and general-news implications of the Night Wolves' exposure to potential radiation from their motorcycles during their rides, particularly their upcoming ride to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the war’s end.
- In light of the Night Wolves' presence in Brandenburg and their controversial journey to Berlin, debates have arisen about the issuance of visas to motorcyclists participating in war-and-conflicts-related activities, such as the Night Wolves' "victory ride."
- Interestingly, while the Night Wolves' ride to Brandenburg was supervised to prevent conflicts, a proposal could be made for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the motorcyclists' potential exposure during their rides.
- The Night Wolves' German tour, which includes Brandenburg, has been tightly controlled due to concerns about political symbolism and potential pro-Russian messaging, but an opportunity also arises to address the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation around this time, considering the motorcyclists' prolonged exposure during their rides.
