Rewritten Article:
Russian paramilitary group "Night Wolves" reportedly placed floral tributes in Brandenburg, Germany.
Title: The "Night Wolves" Ride into Controversy: Putin's Motorcycle Club Heads to Berlin Amid Political Tensions
These Russian bikers, part of the notorious pro-Putin nationalist motorcycle club known as the "Night Wolves," have kicked up a fuss with their announced "victory ride" towards Berlin. Despite the club and its members facing sanctions due to their stance on Ukraine, their convoy seems determined to reach its destination.
Recently, the group visited two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg, laying wreaths in Schönwalde and Baruth before pressing on towards Berlin. With police present, the approximately 60 riders and 50 motorcycles had previously made a stop in Dresden.
The Night Wolves embarked on this journey from Moscow at the end of April, with the intention of commemorating World War II in Berlin. As in the past year, they're undertaking a high-profile "victory ride" from Moscow to the German capital. In 2015, German authorities revoked the visas of several members and barred their entry.
This time, the 80th anniversary of the war's end provides the occasion for the Night Wolves' planned commemoration at the Soviet Memorial in Berlin's Treptower Park on May 9. In their advance announcement, the rockers stated that the event would not only symbolize the victory over fascism but would also celebrate the enduring values of peaceful coexistence and the friendship of peoples.
NATIONALIST ROARS: An Insight into the Night Wolves
The Night Wolves are known for their extreme nationalism and support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, including endorsing the annexation of Crimea. Given their stance on Ukraine, the club and its members are subject to sanctions, making their arrival in Berlin uncertain.
When asked about their participation in official World War II commemorations in Germany, a Night Wolves member simply stated, "Russia has no one to ask and Russia asks no one," while another rider dismissed any concerns as irrelevant. They argue that their ancestors, members of the Red Army who fell fighting Nazis in World War II, deserve to be remembered. Soviet Russia lost a staggering 27 million people in World War II.
Some members of the Night Wolves are confident that a representative of their club will be in Berlin on May 9. German-based Night Wolves members have already laid wreaths and red carnations near an official World War II commemoration in Torgau on the Elbe.
READY TO RIDE: Departure and Reactions in Moscow
The Night Wolves combined their departure with the advent of the biking season. Leaving the club grounds, it took nearly an hour for hundreds of motorcycle riders to set off. Moscow streets were closed for them, some adorned in camouflage uniforms, while others wore vests decorated with the snarling wolf logo and flame tail.
Carrying club flags, Russian, and German flags, some vehicles also bore the letter "Z," a symbol of Russia's war against Ukraine, banned in Germany.
May 8, 1945, marks the day Germany surrendered, ending World War II in Europe. Russia annually celebrates the victory over Hitler's Germany on May 9 as "Victory Day." Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier starkly warned in the Bundestag against a return of nationalism, dictatorship, and war. Steinmeier sees this danger not only in the resurgence of right-wing extremism in Germany but especially in states that, at an enormous cost, brought about the defeat of Hitler's fascism. "The liberators of Auschwitz have become new aggressors," Steinmeier says about Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Keywords:- Night Wolves- Soviet Memorial- Berlin- World War II- Nationalism- Sanctions
(Enrichment Data Sparingly Integrated: The Night Wolves' international activities and inclusion on EU sanctions lists highlight the club's role in promoting pro-Kremlin narratives and questioning the intentions of their commemorations during the announced ceasefire.)
- The Night Wolves, a pro-Putin motorcycle club, have sparked controversy with their announced "victory ride" towards Berlin amidst political tensions.
- Despite facing sanctions due to their stance on Ukraine, the group remains determined to reach Berlin.
- The Night Wolves recently visited two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg, laying wreaths in Schönwalde and Baruth.
- In Dresden and Berlin, the group was met with police presence as they journeyed towards their destination.
- The Night Wolves embarked on their journey from Moscow at the end of April, aiming to commemorate World War II in Berlin.
- The group is known for its extreme nationalism and support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, including endorsing the annexation of Crimea.
- Given their stance on Ukraine, the club and its members are subject to sanctions, making their arrival in Berlin uncertain.
- The Night Wolves argue that their ancestors, members of the Red Army who fought against Nazis in World War II, deserve to be remembered.
- Some members of the Night Wolves are confident that a representative of their club will be in Berlin on May 9.
- German-based Night Wolves members have already laid wreaths and red carnations near an official World War II commemoration in Torgau on the Elbe.
- The Night Wolves combined their departure with the advent of the biking season, attracting a large following in Moscow.
- Leaving the club grounds, hundreds of motorcycle riders took around an hour to set off, with some wearing camouflage uniforms and others adorned with the Night Wolves' snarling wolf logo and flame tail.
- Some vehicles also bore the letter "Z," a symbol of Russia's war against Ukraine, banned in Germany.
- Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned against a return of nationalism, dictatorship, and war in his speech in the Bundestag.
- Steinmeier sees this danger not only in the resurgence of right-wing extremism in Germany but especially in states that brought about the defeat of Hitler's fascism.
- Steinmeier stated that "the liberators of Auschwitz have become new aggressors," referring to Vladimir Putin's Russia.
