Putin's bikers the Night Wolves claim 'secret entry' into EU on way to Berlin despite ban

Members of the Russian pro-Kremlin biker group the Night Wolves have entered the EU covertly on a controversial pilgrimage to Berlin to mark the end of World War Two. The group which has been pictured several times with president Vladimir Putin, wanted to re-enact the route of the Soviet Red Army's push towards Germany in the war.

It is aiming to be in the German capital in time for Victory in Europe day, which in Russia is commemorated on 9 May. The planned route was intended to pass through Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria.

Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported that they were refused entry to Poland but some had managed to get to EU state Slovakia, which borders Ukraine, with its leader Andrei Bobrovskiy telling the agency it would head toward the Czech Republic.

Polish broadcaster TVP Info quoted a biker who said that a handful of the group were allowed in Poland because they had German, Slovak and non-Russian passports.

On April 29, Poland's' Ambassador to Russia Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalecz was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry over the refusal to allow the bikers into Poland.

The Night Wolves have close ties with Putin and their leader Alexander Zaldostanov is reknowned for his strong nationalist and anti-Western stance. The Night Wolves enjoy close ties to Russian President Vladmir Putin and have supported the Kremlin's annexation of Crimea.