Night Wolves Biker Club Kicks Off 'Russian Balkan' Tour
The Russian motorcycle club Night Wolves has kicked off what they call their "Russian Balkans" tour with a visit to the Serbian town of Sid .
In Sid, near the Serbian-Croatian border, the group met on March 20 with local motorcycle clubs before visiting a memorial to soldiers killed in World War II and an Orthodox church.
Known for their allegiance to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Night Wolves have been sanctioned by the West for their support of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.
While the club has planned or taken a number of rides seen as politically provocative, it is not clear if their Balkan tour has a political agenda. The group says it wants to study the history and heritage of Russia in the Balkans.
The tour coincides with what Western intelligence officials say has been an increase in efforts by Moscow to expand its influence in the region.
Bosnian officials have alleged the tour is aimed at intimidating non-Serbs in the divided country, where a bloody ethnic war broke out during the 1990s. The leaders of the Night Wolves have been banned from entering Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The group's leader, Aleksandr Zaldostanov, aka "the Surgeon," is not taking part in the Balkan tour. The bikers are currently traveling by van rather than motorcycle because of the cold weather.
They plan to continue their tour heading toward Banja Luka in the Bosnian Serb entity, Republika Srpska, on March 21, and are scheduled to return to Belgrade on March 27.
