Vladimir Putin with Alexander Zaldostanov, aka “The Surgeon”, the head of the “Night Wolves” biker club, at the 14th International Biker Rally in Sevastopol, Crimea, 24t July 2010. The rally brought together bikers from Belarus, the Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Serbia, the USA, and Israel. July 2010. Photo courtesy of the government of Russia.
You have read here in the past about the ultra-nationalist Russian motorcycle club, the Night Wolves.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, Vladimir Putin exercised Russia’s cultural influence throughout Europe with the help of proxies like the Night Wolves, a quasi-Kremlin affiliated biker group that spread pro-Russian, pro-Orthodox, and pro-Putin feelings to sympathetic ears in other parts of Europe. The gang even built chapters in friendly areas like Serbia.
The Night Wolves are led by Alexander Zoldostanov, known as “The Surgeon.” But the gang doesn’t just ride, it’s a paramilitary group that does the Kremlin’s bidding. When the Russians first invaded Ukraine in 2014, the Night Wolves were there, fighting in Crimea. Learn more about Zoldostanov and the Night Wolves in the video below:
News in the Western press about the Night Wolves is scarce since the war in Ukraine began, but Zoldostanov is still part of the Kremlin’s inner circle. He attended Vladimir Putin’s most recent inauguration in May of last year.
1. Putin, before his inauguration, walking through the Grand Kremlin Palace to Saint Andrew Hall.
2. Russian honour guard soldiers carry the national flag.
3. Guests arrive for the ceremony at the Kremlin.
4. Alexander Zaldostanov, also known as ‘Khirurg’ (The Surgeon), the… pic.twitter.com/rOoHtuwd20
— Nicholas Franklin (@TheEmperorSon) May 7, 2024
He has also given interviews to the Russian press, as recently as January 15 of this year:
1. Putin, before his inauguration, walking through the Grand Kremlin Palace to Saint Andrew Hall.
2. Russian honour guard soldiers carry the national flag.
3. Guests arrive for the ceremony at the Kremlin.
4. Alexander Zaldostanov, also known as ‘Khirurg’ (The Surgeon), the… pic.twitter.com/rOoHtuwd20
— Nicholas Franklin (@TheEmperorSon) May 7, 2024
The club even entertained audiences in the Russia-friendly country of Serbia for the New Year.
Hirurg poslao poruku na rođendan RS: Rusiju i Srpsku niko ne može da slomi
Moto-klub “Noćni vukovi” tradicionalno je i ove godine novogodišnju predstavu odigranu 9. januara posvetio rođendanu Republike Srpske.
Prisutnima se obratio Aleksandar Zaldostanov Hirurg, predsednik… pic.twitter.com/qhizQmVgRA
— RT Balkan (@rtbalkan) January 10, 2025
The Night Wolves may be shut out of most of Europe and the world, but they are still an integral part of Russia’s propaganda and cultural operations.
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