Night wolves on a memory tour: Russian biker club starts in Berlin

Night wolves on a memory tour: Russian biker club starts in Berlin

Berlin, Deutschland - On April 26, 2025, members of the nationalist motorcycle club "Night Wolves" started their journey to Berlin in Moscow. The occasion is the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which is celebrated in Russia as the "day of victory". The commemoration will take place on May 9th at the Soviet cenotaph in the Treptower Park in Berlin. The "night wolves", which are considered supporters of President Vladimir Putin, emphasize that their participation in the celebrations should symbolize the victory over fascism and the values ​​of peaceful coexistence ksta.de.

hundreds of motorcyclists have joined the march, and their descent fell together with the beginning of the biker season. Roads were closed to the bikers in Moscow. The participants wore camouflage uniforms and cowls, which were provided with the wolf logo. The club as well as Russian and German flags accompanied the journey. However, the “Z” symbols that are prohibited in Germany were also shown on some motorcycles.

political controversy

The participation of the "night wolves" in the commemoration ceremonies triggered a debate in Germany. Political decision -makers discuss the admission of Russian representatives to official memorial events. The members of the club say that Russia does not have to ask anyone for permission to commemorate. They emphasize that many of their ancestors, members of the Red Army, fell in World War II. On May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered and ended the war in Europe.

historical context and reactions

The "night wolves" are not new to memory of the Second World War. Already in 2015 they started a similar tour through Europe to honor the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. These earlier trips also ended in Berlin and were accompanied by a shared opinion in the crossed countries. In Poland and the Czech Republic, such actions were often perceived as aggressive, although there were also support from other motorcycle clubs. Especially the president of the "night wolves", Alexander Saldostanow, is noted on sanction lists, but supposedly clarified his visa matters in order to be able to take part in the current trip.

The "night wolves" not only draw attention to the role of their ancestors in the war with their trips, but also promise to stop at the graves of veterans. The reactions on the political and social level remain divided, both in Germany and in other European countries.