Moscow - Dozens of bikers from pro-Kremlin gang the Night Wolves on Saturday set off on a ride to Berlin ahead of the anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II, despite Poland and Germany barring the riders.
The bikers gathered Saturday morning in a Moscow suburb to launch the ride to Berlin, planned to retrace the 6,000-kilometre (3,730-mile) march of Soviet troops through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria.
The Night Wolves' long-haired, heavily tattooed leader Alexander Zaldostanov led a column of bikers waving red flags with portraits of Stalin and the wartime slogan "For the Motherland! For Stalin!" out of the gang's clubhouse in north-western Moscow.
Organisers said around 30 bikers aimed to travel the entire route to Berlin, but it was unclear whether they would be allowed to pass through after both Warsaw and Berlin moved to ban the riders.
A German government source told AFP on Saturday that "entry has been refused to certain leaders of the Night Wolves and visas obtained on false pretences have been annulled."
Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz described the rally as a "provocation" and Warsaw on Friday refused entry to any organised biker group that includes members of the Night Wolves," giving its reason organisational concerns.
Russia's foreign ministry said it was "indignant about the refusal of Polish authorities" and accused Warsaw of lying about the real reasons it was barring the bikers.
The Night Wolves are closely linked to President Vladimir Putin, who has joined the bikers several times at rallies, riding a Harley-Davidson trike, and called them his "friends."
AFP
