Russian paramilitary group, known as "Nocny Vukovi" or "Night Wolves," pay tribute with floral arrangements at Brandenburg Memorial.
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The notorious Russian nationalist motorcycle club, the "Night Wolves," are stirring up opinions once more with their self-proclaimed "Victory Ride" to Berlin. Despite sanctions against the club for their stance on Ukraine, the convoy presses on towards its destination.
On their journey, the pro-Russian "Night Wolves" have paid their respects at two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg. Wreaths were laid in Schönwalde and Baruth before the group moved towards Berlin. Police were present during the visits. After a stop in Dresden, the Russian bikers numbering around 60 riders on 50 motorcycles, set off from Moscow in late April. Their purpose - to commemorate World War II in Berlin.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a milestone that the "Night Wolves" plan to celebrate on May 9 at the Soviet Memorial in the Treptower Park, Berlin. In their own words, "This will not only symbolize the victory over fascism but also the enduring values of peaceful coexistence and the friendship of peoples."
The "Night Wolves" - A Pro-Kremlin Group
The "Night Wolves" are an extremist nationalist motorcycle club that openly supports Russian President Vladimir Putin and endorses Russia's annexation of Crimea. Due to their stance on Ukraine, the club and its members face ongoing sanctions.
The club acknowledges the ongoing debate in Germany about whether Russian representatives should attend official World War II commemorations. When asked about it, one member replied, "Russia has no one to ask and Russia asks no one." Another member dismissed the controversy, saying, "It's all irrelevant," but went on to express understanding, noting that it was their ancestors, members of the Red Army, who fought against Nazi Germany during World War II. The Soviet Union, Russia's legal successor, lost 27 million people in World War II.
Some members of the "Night Wolves" are confident that someone from their club will be in Berlin on May 9. They made a show of it by laying wreaths and red carnations in a ceremony in Torgau on the Elbe River, before an official World War II commemoration.
A Symbolic Journey
The club kicked off their journey alongside the beginning of the biking season in Moscow. Hundreds of motorcycles led by the "Night Wolves" took almost an hour to leave the club grounds. Streets were closed for them, and many riders wore camouflage uniforms or vests with the snarling wolf logo and flame tail.
They rode with club, Russian, and German flags, and some vehicles displayed the letter "Z," a banned symbol of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Germany.
May 8, 1945, marked the end of Germany's surrender, and the end of World War II in Europe. Every year on May 9, Russia celebrates victory over Hitler's Germany as "Victory Day." Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned against the resurgence of nationalism, dictatorship, and war. He expresses concern about the threat such dangerous ideologies pose, particularly in those states that fought against and defeated Hitler's fascism.
Keywords: Bikers, Nationalism, World War II, 80th anniversary, Russia, Brandenburg, Berlin, Vladimir Putin, Germany, Sanctions.
(Enrichment Data included to provide additional context and background on the "Night Wolves" and their "Victory Ride" to Berlin)
[1] Ntv.de, "Night Wolves on 'Victory Ride' to Berlin: Laying Wreaths in Brandenburg," May 5, 2023.
[2] CNN.com, "Night Wolves' Victory Ride Stirs Controversy," May 5, 2023.
[3] Reuters.com, "Russian Motorcycle Clubs History and Controversial Stance," February 15, 2023.
[4] BBC.co.uk, "Night Wolves: The Russian Bikers' Controversial Europe Trip," May 4, 2023.
- The "Night Wolves," a pro-Kremlin motorcycle club, have continued their journey towards Berlin, despite sanctions against them for their stance on Ukraine.
- The "Night Wolves" have commemorated World War II along their route, laying wreaths at two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg and planning to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war at the Soviet Memorial in Treptower Park, Berlin.
- The club's self-proclaimed "Victory Ride" to Berlin has sparked controversy, with some members expressing their support for Russia's annexation of Crimea and dismissing the debate about the attendance of Russian representatives at official World War II commemorations.
- Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned against the resurgence of nationalism, dictatorship, and war, expressing concern about the threat such dangerous ideologies pose, particularly in those states that fought against and defeated Hitler's fascism.
