The Space Wolves (also Sky Warriors of Russ, Rout or Vlka Fenryka or Wolves of Fenris in Fenrisian) were the VI Legionof the twentySpace Marine Legions. TheirprimarchisLeman Russ, and during theGreat Crusadethey gained a reputation as theEmperor's executioners and instruments of punishment.After theHorus Heresyand the resultant reforms, the legion was divided, its first and only time, into twochapters: the new Space Wolves chapter retained the name of their parent Legion, while the second chapter took on the name of theWolf Brothers. The latter however suffered frommutationand were disbanded.
The Space Wolves are notorious throughout the rest of theImperiumfor their ferocity in battle and their defiance of authority, including the dictates of theCodex Astartesthat govern the organisation and combat doctrines of other Space Marine chapters.