Putin-backed bikers begin controversial ride to Berlin By Sarah Rainsford

BBC News, Moscow Published duration 25 April 2015

media caption The Night Wolves, a biker group dubbed 'Putin's Hells Angels', plan to follow the route of the Red Army from Moscow to Berlin

An ultra-patriotic Russian bike club has begun a controversial ride to Berlin, even though Poland says it will not allow them to cross the country.

The Night Wolves want to retrace the route of the Red Army in World War Two, and visit memorials to the Soviet troops who died fighting the Nazis.

But Poland's prime minister called the trip a provocation.

The bikers are renowned for their staunch support of President Putin, particularly his policies in Ukraine.

The US has put the club on its sanctions list.

'Not provocative'

The group heading for Berlin joined a large crowd at the Night Wolves' headquarters in Moscow on Saturday for the annual launch of the season.

image copyright EPA image caption It remains unclear how the bikers can possibly reach the Berlin Reichstag by road

image copyright Reuters image caption Some of the bikers carried flags depicting Joseph Stalin

image copyright Reuters image caption The US has put the Night Wolves on its sanctions list

image copyright EPA image caption The Night Wolves are famed for their patriotism and as Vladimir Putin's 'Hells Angels'

Their leather jackets were newly embroidered: "Routes of Victory, 1941-45".

"I don't think visiting war graves is provocative or aggressive," one of the men, Vladimir, told the BBC as a rock band played on stage.

"Ours is a friendly visit, and we're unarmed. The most important thing is to visit the graves and do something to tell our grandchildren about."

Another biker already has a Polish visa and says he informed the embassy of his plans when he applied.

"So what basis does the Polish government have for denying me entry now?" Viktor Keller wanted to know.

'An outrage'

The official reason is that the Polish authorities were not given sufficient notice of the trip and cannot guarantee the bikers' safety.

image copyright Reuters image caption Poland sees the war tour as part of a new era of muscle-flexing by Russia that makes it nervous

image copyright AFP image caption The leader of the Night Wolves, nicknamed 'the Surgeon' (right) enjoys backing of Vladimir Putin (left) and was photographed with him in 2010

Russia's foreign ministry labelled that "a downright lie" and an "outrage".

But defiant statements aside, it remains unclear how the bikers can possibly reach the Reichstag by road now.

Their leader, known as "The Surgeon", suggested they may try to enter individually, via different crossing points. But even so, they could well be blocked at the border.

Now they have roared off towards Berlin, Russian state TV crews in tow, the Night Wolves will certainly cry foul if they are forced to return home.