Putin's bikers have deployed a network of pro-Russian propaganda across Europe - intelligence
Kyiv • UNN
The "Night Wolves" have opened new chapters in Europe to support Russian aggression. Club members are raising funds for the occupiers and spreading Kremlin propaganda.
Despite sanctions from the European Union and Switzerland, the Russian motorcycle club "Night Wolves," which has been linked to Putin for many years, continues to operate actively in Europe. Moreover, the club's network has even expanded since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service, according to UNN.
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In particular, after 2022, the motorcycle club opened new chapters in France, Slovakia, China, and the Philippines. As of today, there are at least 13 chapters of the organization operating that openly support Russian aggression and spread Kremlin narratives.
In May 2024, representatives of the motorcycle club held a series of actions in European countries during the "Roads of Victory" motorcycle march, using Soviet symbols, St. George ribbons, and Russian flags. Similar actions took place in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Switzerland with the participation of representatives from Russian diplomatic missions.
Of course, club members publicly claim they are only engaged in "preserving historical memory," but their activities suggest otherwise. Foreign chapters of the "Night Wolves" have openly supported Russia's invasion of Ukraine since 2014, distributing propaganda materials and organizing fundraisers for Russian military units fighting on Ukrainian territory.
The Swiss chapter of the club is particularly active. Its head, Rolf Schaeffler, has repeatedly expressed public support for Putin and the "SMO" (Special Military Operation). For such ardent support, he even received Russian citizenship by a personal decree of the President of the Russian Federation and several awards from Russian state structures.
On social media, club members congratulate militants of pro-Russian formations, celebrate anniversaries of the occupation of Crimea, and call Russian military personnel fighting in Ukraine "defenders of peace."
"The Night Wolves" have long ceased to be an ordinary biker club. Their leader Alexander Zaldastanov, known by the nickname "The Surgeon," calls Putin his friend and regularly participates in state propaganda events,
Furthermore, after the occupation of Crimea in 2014, the US and Canada concluded that the motorcycle club was involved in supporting Russian operations on Ukrainian territory. According to US authorities, members of the organization participated in the seizure of Crimea and helped recruit militants for the war in Donbas.
And in 2022, representatives of the "Night Wolves" created their own volunteer unit as part of the "Pyatnashka" brigade, which participates in combat operations against Ukraine.
The motorcycle club's activities show that Russian influence in Europe is not limited to diplomacy or online information campaigns. Through a network of clubs, public organizations, and cultural events, the Kremlin continues to form pockets of support for its policies even in countries that officially condemn Russian aggression.
Under the guise of memorial events, biker festivals, and so-called people's diplomacy, narratives are spread that justify the war against Ukraine, discredit the West, and promote the interests of the Russian state.