**"Night Wolves" Take Off on "Victory Journey" to Berlin
Russian paramilitary group "Night Wolves" pays tribute in Brandenburg with wreaths, as ordered by President Putin.
The infamous Russian motorcycle gang, the nationalist motorcycle club "Night Wolves," is stirring up controversy with their self-dubbed "Victory Journey" to Berlin. Despite sanctions against the club and its members due to their stance on Ukraine, the caravan is advancing toward its destination.
Members of the pro-Russian bikers group "Night Wolves" paid their respects at two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg. At Schönwalde and Baruth, motorcyclists laid wreaths before continuing their voyage towards Berlin. Police were at the scene. Earlier, the approximately 60 bikers with 50 motorcycles had made a stop in Dresden.
The Russian riders set off from Moscow at the end of April to honor the World War II anniversary in Berlin. Much like last year, they are embarking on a contentious "Victory Journey" from Moscow to the German capital. In 2015, German authorities revoked several members' visas and prevented their entry.
This time, the occasion is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which the "Night Wolves" plan to honor on May 9 at the Soviet Memorial in Berlin's Treptower Park. According to the bikers, this will symbolize not only the victory over fascism but also the enduring values of peaceful coexistence and the friendship of peoples.
"Night Wolves" Stamp their Support for Putin
The "Night Wolves" are extreme nationalists who are staunch supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin and advocates for the annexation of Crimea. Due to their stance on Ukraine, the club and its members face sanctions, causing uncertainty as to whether the Russian bikers would actually reach Berlin.
The club is well-aware of the ongoing debate in Germany regarding whether Russian representatives should be allowed to participate in official World War II commemorations. One member simply stated, "Russia has no one to ask and Russia asks no one," while another dismissed the issue, asserting that their ancestors, members of the Red Army, had fought against Nazi Germany. The Soviet Union, Russia's legal successor, lost 27 million people in World War II.
Some members expressed hope that at least one of the "Night Wolves" would reach Berlin on May 9, as the club has members based in Germany. On Friday, they paid their respects with red carnations near an official World War II commemoration in Torgau on the Elbe River.
The "Night Wolves" Roll Out in Moscow
The club combined the beginning of their ride with the arrival of the biking season. It took nearly an hour for hundreds of motorcyclists to depart from the club's grounds. In Moscow, streets were closed to facilitate their passage. Some wore camouflage uniforms, while others sported vests featuring the emblematic snarling wolf logo adorned with a flaming tail.
Among their banners were those of the club, as well as Russian and German flags. Some vehicles also displayed the controversial letter "Z," the symbol associated with Russia's conflict in Ukraine that is banned in Germany.
On May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered, and World War II came to an end in Europe. Every year on May 9, Russia celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany as "Victory Day." Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned members of the German parliament about the resurgence of nationalism, dictatorship, and war. He sees this danger particularly in those countries that, at a cost, brought about the defeat of Hitler's fascism. "The liberators of Auschwitz have become new aggressors," Steinmeier remarked about Vladimir Putin's Russia.
- Bikers
- Nationalism
- World War II
- 80th anniversary of the war's end
- Russia
- Brandenburg
- Berlin
- Vladimir Putin
- Germany
- Sanctions
- Despite sanctions and controversy, the "Night Wolves" motorcycle gang, known for their nationalist stance and support of Vladimir Putin, are embarking on a "Victory Journey" from Moscow to Berlin.
- The Russian bikers paid their respects at Schönwalde and Baruth in Brandenburg, two Soviet memorial sites, before continuing their journey towards Berlin.
- The bikers are planning to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on May 9 at the Soviet Memorial in Berlin's Treptower Park.
- The club's intentions symbolize not only the victory over fascism but also the enduring values of peaceful coexistence and the friendship of peoples.
- Members of the "Night Wolves" are staunch supporters of the annexation of Crimea and advocates for Russia's stance on Ukraine.
- Due to their stance on Ukraine, the club and its members face sanctions, causing uncertainty as to whether they would actually reach Berlin.
- In Germany, the "Night Wolves" have members and showed their support with red carnations near an official World War II commemoration in Torgau on the Elbe River.
- The club combined the beginning of their ride with the arrival of the biking season, as hundreds of motorcyclists departed from their grounds in Moscow, temporarily closing streets.
- Among the banners displayed were those of the club, as well as Russian and German flags, also featuring the controversial letter "Z," the symbol associated with Russia's conflict in Ukraine that is banned in Germany.
- Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945, marking the end of World War II in Europe, and every year on May 9, Russia celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany as "Victory Day."
- Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned members of the German parliament about the resurgence of nationalism, dictatorship, and war, particularly in those countries that brought about the defeat of Hitler's fascism.
- Steinmeier remarked, "The liberators of Auschwitz have become new aggressors," in reference to Vladimir Putin's Russia.
- The "Night Wolves' "contentious "Victory Journey" follows a pattern similar to last year's ride to Berlin to honor World War II.
- In sports, there are many leagues and events that may coincide with the "Night Wolves' "journey, such as the Champions League, NFL, WNBA, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, European leagues, basketball, NBA, Masters, Grand Prix, horse-racing, Laliga, NCAa-football, tennis, sports-analysis, auto-racing, and mixed-martial-arts.
