The New Kold War: Dragoon Ride vs. Night Wolves

Perfect subject for Gogol:

Image from

(1) (CNN): Eastern Europe, Here comes the cavalry. (March 14)

(2) (aljazeera): Poland denies Russia 'Night Wolves' bikers entry: Border guards prevent 10 pro-Putin bikers from crossing to mark Soviet victory in World War Two amid rows over Ukraine. (April 27)

OK Boys/Ребята: Let's Fight it Out

USA Dragoon Ride image from

Russian "Night Wolves" image from

Awight, patriots, who will win in the yankee/russki everlasting battle (bottle) of who's the Chief Honcho on the planet? (What's Ukraine gotta to do with it?)

Image from

And let's not forget ... The Mongols:

Mongolian bikers are marking 800 years since Mongol and Tatar rule (yoke) (thank you TL on Facebook for the translation)

Монгольские байкеры в пробеге на Москву в честь 800-летия ига

(1) (CNN): Eastern Europe, Here comes the cavalry. (March 14)

The U.S. Army says it will soon be sending armored Stryker vehicles on a 1,100-mile convoy through six European countries to show solidarity to allies in the wake of recent Russian actions in the Ukraine and Crimea that have Eastern Europe on edge.

The move is unusual because long-distance movement of heavy military vehicles such as the 18-ton Strykers is usually done by rail.

The trek is being called a "Dragoon Ride," after the unit's nickname, the Dragoons. Troops will camp out along the route.

"For those participating in it, Dragoon Ride is a unique opportunity," Stripes quoted Childs as saying. "Soldiers and their leaders will have numerous opportunities to engage with local communities along the route, deepen their appreciation for the cultural diversity within the alliance and enhance the relationships that are essential to building and maintaining mutual admiration, respect and trust among allied militaries."

The convoy will be the latest in a series of displays the U.S. and its NATO allies have taken under Operation Atlantic Resolve, during which the U.S. "is demonstrating its continued commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region, in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine," according to the Defense Department's website.

The displays have come as close to 300 yards from the Russian border as U.S. Army Strykers participated in an independence day celebration in Nava, Estonia, last month.

Other recent actions include the Air Force's movement of 12 A-10 Thunderbolt "tankbuster" attack jets to an air base in Germany and this month the placing of hundreds of tanks and military vehicles in Latvia, where they'll soon be matched up with 3,000 troops from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Tension with Russia extends to the air too. Adm. William Gortney, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that "this past year has marked a notable increase in Russian military assertiveness."

Russian heavy bomber aircraft flew more patrols outside Russian airspace "than in any year since the Cold War," though he did not offer a specific number. There have also been increased Russian air patrols across the coastlines of Europe.

(II) (aljazeera): Poland denies Russia 'Night Wolves' bikers entry: Border guards prevent 10 pro-Putin bikers from crossing to mark Soviet victory in World War Two amid rows over Ukraine.(April 27)

Polish border guards have blocked a group of 10 Russian bikers, who are known for their support for Russia's President Vladimir Putin, from entering Poland as part of a ride to commemorate the Soviet Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany 70 years ago.

Border guard spokesman Dariusz Sienicki announced the decision after members of the Night Wolves, which has stirred controversy with its support for Russia's annexation of Crimea, approached the border and tried to enter the country.

"These people will not cross into Poland," Sienicki said.

The incident came amid deep tensions between the West and Russia over Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

Poland, which was under Moscow's control for most of the past two and a half centuries, has been one of the most outspoken European voices in favour of sanctions on Russia.

The Night Wolves had wanted to travel across Eastern Europe to honour the Red Army soldiers who died as they and Western Allies defeated Hitler's Germany, visiting their graves and other war sites.

Their aim was to arrive in Berlin for ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on May 9.

Polish authorities last week said they would not let he bikers enter the country. They insisted the move was not political, but Poland's Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and other leaders have described the bikers' plans as a "provocation".

The leaders have not explained why they see the bikers as provocative. Polish activists who also oppose their entry into the country say they object to the bikers' strong support for the Russian annexation of Crimea and alleged support for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

'Not a normal bike club'

"This is not a normal bike club. They are tools in the hand of Vladimir Putin to make propaganda," said Tomasz Czuwara, a spokesman for the Open Dialog Foundation, a Polish group that supports Ukraine.

The Night Wolves vowed to try to enter Poland despite the ban and 15 leather-clad bikers approached the border crossing between Brest, Belarus, and Terespol, Poland, on Monday morning. Five did not have visas and said they were just there to see their colleagues off.

Belarusian guards let them pass but they were then held in a hangar by Polish officials for a couple of hours before being turned back.

One of the bikers, Andrei Bobrovsky, said they were "thoroughly searched, to the last sock".

Alexander Zaldostanov, leader of the Night Wolves, said they will make the run to Berlin anyway.

"Other people who won't say they are Night Wolves will take this route and accomplish this mission that we were planning to do for the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory," he said on LifeNews, a Russian TV channel.

Not all Poles are opposed to the Night Wolves. The head of a Polish bikers' group, Wiktor Wegrzyn, called the Polish opposition to the bikers "anti-Russia hysteria".

After the Russian bikers were denied entry, about 100 Polish bikers on the Polish side of the border honked their horns and flashed their lights in protest. They had gathered earlier Monday hoping to escort the Russians through Poland.

The Russian bikers left Russia on Saturday and on Sunday they paid homage in Russia at a memorial to Polish prisoners of war killed in the Katyn massacres by the Soviet Union during World War Two.