Members of a nationalist Russian motorcycle club with links to Russia President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday visited a World War II site near Berlin ahead of the 79th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Around 30 bikers belonging to the Night Wolves, Russia's largest motorcycle club, reportedly made the trip to the Seelow Heights memorial, near the border to Poland.
Police said they accompanied the group of bikers, who took photos and drank coffee at the site without incident. Other visits to World War II sites are reportedly planned.
The Night Wolves, founded in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, are considered strong supporters of Putin, who once toured Russian-occupied Crimea with the club, while Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov is also a member.
The club says it is a "motorbike club of patriots" which upholds Russia's Orthodox roots and history. Its emblem is a snarling wolf's head with a tail of fire, prominently displayed on their leather coats.
The Night Wolves, Russia's largest motorcycle club, have regularly visited World War II memorial sites around May 9, which is celebrated in Russia as Victory Day after Nazi Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945.
According to the European Union, some members of the Night Wolves, including founder Alexander Zaldostanov, have faced sanctions due to their support for the Russian war in Ukraine.