"Night Wolves" on "Victory Run" to Berlin: Honoring Soviet Victory while Sparking Controversy
Russian paramilitary group "Night Wolves," allegedly linked to Putin, pays respects at Brandenburg Gate memorial.
** Update: Relevant facts and insights added to provide context and depth to the article**
Fire up your vests, here comes the Russian biker gang from hell! The notorious nationalist motorcycle club, the "Night Wolves," is ready for their "Victory Run" to Berlin, causing quite the stir with their controversial journey. Despite the sanctions against the club and its members due to their staunch stance on Ukraine, these pro-Putin, extreme nationalists are raring to go and continue their approach towards their destination.
Made of steel and testosterone, members of the "Night Wolves" have already visited two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg, laying wreaths in Schönwalde and Baruth before moving on to Berlin. The police were present during these visits, and earlier this week, the ferocious pack of bikers stopped briefly in Dresden.
Why the monumental road trip from Moscow, you ask? The "Night Wolves" have set off on this adventure to commemorate the end of World War II in Berlin, much like they did in 20XX. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the war's end, claiming they will symbolize the victory over fascism and the enduring values of peaceful coexistence and friendship of peoples.
Politics are no stranger to these bikers. They are obsessively pro-Putin and support the annexation of Crimea, with the unwavering stance on Ukraine landing them under sanctions. They are fully aware that their presence in Berlin may not be universally approved, but as one wolf put it, "Russia has no one to ask and Russia asks no one." Another noted, while dismissing the issue, that it was their ancestors, members of the Red Army, who perished in the battle against Nazi Germany during World War II. A touching sentiment, indeed.
The "Night Wolves" combined the start of their journey with the beginning of the riding season. Hundreds of motorcycle riders waved goodbye from the club grounds, with some donning the club's signature camouflage uniforms, snarling wolf vests, or waving banners emblazoned with the Night Wolves' logo. The motley crew also displayed Russian flags and even the notorious "Z" symbol, which is prohibited in Germany due to its association with Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Wanna know more about these fearless riders? Here's a little history lesson. The Night Wolves originated in 1989 as a Russian biker club and have been closely tied to the Kremlin, along with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin. This is not the first time they've partaken in a "Victory Run" to Berlin to commemorate the sweeping Soviet victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. However, the political climate over the years has made this year's event particularly contentious.
As the date of the 80th anniversary of the war's end approaches, the German government is on high alert, fearing a resurgence of nationalism, dictatorship, and war. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned the Bundestag about this very threat, expressing concern about aggressive nations like Russia that had once been liberators of Auschwitz but had become the perpetrators of harm.
source: ntv.de, gut/dpa
- Bikers
- Politics
- World War II
- 80th anniversary of the war's end
- Russia
- Brandenburg
- Berlin
- Vladimir Putin
- Extremism
- Germany
- Sanctions
- The Night Wolves, a Russian biker gang known for their support of Vladimir Putin and pro-Putin extremism, have embarked on a controversial journey to Berlin, defying sanctions for their stance on Ukraine, to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II's end.
- As part of their "Victory Run," members of the Night Wolves have stopped at Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg, laying wreaths in Schönwalde and Baruth, and briefly in Dresden, prompting a presence of German police.
- Despite the political tension surrounding their visit, the Night Wolves, dressed in camouflage uniforms and wolf vests, insist on symbolizing the victory over fascism, the enduring values of peaceful coexistence, and friendship of peoples, echoing their ancestors' battles against Nazi Germany during World War II.
