Russia's 'Night Wolves' Biker Club Plan Ride To Berlin To Commemorate World War II

Vladimir Putin rides with Alexander Zaldostanov, leader of Nochniye Volki (the Night Wolves) biker group(REUTERS/Ivan Sekretarev)

The Guardian: Russian biker gang to ride Red Army's route through Europe

Night Wolves plan two-week rally to mark Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany, angering eastern Europeans over bikers’ support for Putin’s Ukraine policy

A Russian biker gang backed by Vladimir Putin is planning to ride through Europe to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the second world war, sparking controversy in central Europe.

A two-week 3,750-mile (6,000km) rally by Russian bikers including the Night Wolves, a fiercely nationalistic motorcycle club, will pass through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria, before ending in Berlin on 9 May – the day Russia marks the end of its war against Nazi Germany.

“To Berlin!” says a page on the biker gang’s website dedicated to the rally, which is set to begin on 25 April, in an allusion to the Red Army’s famous battle cry.

The commemorative event comes with tensions running high between Russia and the west over the crisis in Ukraine.

WNU Editor: Years ago I actually did a road trip on the route that my father took during the Second World War. I started north of Stalingrad, and ended up 30 kilometers east of Berlin .... and yes .... it was an incredible trip. I will never forget my stopover at Bełżec extermination camp .... words cannot describe that experience .... and reaching Berlin at the Soviet war memorial at Berlin’s Treptower Park.... again .... words cannot describe what I was feeling at the time. I envy these bikers .... even though some in eastern Europe feel "outraged" and will probably try their best to block this procession .... aside from that I do know that these bikers are going to have an incredible experience.

More News On Russia's 'Night Wolves' Biker Club Planning A Ride To Berlin To Commemorate World War II

Outrage Over Russian Bikers’ Victory Ride to Berlin -- Newsweek
Pro-Putin Russian bikers spark Polish protest -- BBC
Polish PM Sees Ride by Russian Bikers as a 'Provocation' -- AP
Poland's fury as Russian 'Night Wolves' biker club plan ride to Berlin to commemorate World War II -- IBTimes
Poles Split Over Letting Russian Bikers Pass Through on Ride to Berlin -- Sputnik