New Tensions Between Italy and Russia
President Sergio Mattarella’s recent comments disparaging Russian aggression have set off a chain of increasingly contentious exchanges (Wikimedia Commons).
President of Italy Sergio Mattarella angered Russia on February 5 when he criticized Russia’s actions toward Ukraine, according to Reuters. In response to these comments, the pro-Russian hacker organization NoName57 hacked approximately 20 Italian websites the week of February 17, per Reuters.
While giving a speech in Marseilles, France, President of Italy Sergio Mattarella compared the Ukraine War to the Third Reich’s “wars of conquest” that caused World War II, asserting that “Russian Aggression” was similar to the Third Reich’s actions, per the LA Times. In response to these comments, Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, called President Mattarella’s comments “blasphemous inventions,” as stated by Reuters. Zakharova further warned Italy that these comments would not be “without consequences,” per the Italian news organization ANSA.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rose to the defense of President Mattarella, releasing a statement attacking Zakharova for “insults … [that] offend the entire Italian nation” and expressing her “solidarity, as well as that of the entire government, to President Mattarella,” per Reuters. The consequence of this contentious back and forth for Italy was an attack on their cybersecurity.
Releasing a statement on social media announcing their attacks, NoName57 hacked several Italian government websites, such as those of the defense, interior, transport ministries, and law enforcement, resulting in an insecure connection to these sites, per LA Times. According to Reuters, the websites of Intesa Sanpaolo, Banca Monte dei Paschi, and Iccrea Banca, three Italian banking companies, were targeted in addition to the websites of Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports. Italy’s cybersecurity agency has stated that these attacks did not have major effects and there have not been lasting repercussions, per Reuters.
President Mattarella has provided his own comments on the attacks, stating that he wished Russia would “return to play a significant and important role in the international community, respecting the principles of international law and the dignity and sovereignty of every country,” per the LA Times.
Italy has been a strong supporter of Ukraine throughout the conflict. Most recently, the Italian parliament passed legislation to continue its military support of Ukraine until the end of 2025, The Defense Post reported. The Ukrainian government has called Italy “a key partner” and, along with other EU and NATO member states, Italy has delivered military equipment to the country, per The Defense Post.
The status of this support could rapidly change in the upcoming weeks as the United States and Russia have stated that they will continue talks on how to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported. The Associated Press quoted President Mattarella in May of 2024 that Italy would not support “a solution which would reward the aggressor and humiliate those being attacked.” In light of Russia’s recent actions toward Italy, it is unlikely that the country will fully soften this stance and will most likely not support an agreement that grants Russia all of its demands. However, Italy’s final stance on Russia will depend upon how the talks between Russia and the United States proceed.