Event fdb50856-94c0-4071-b4c4-b9aeba834e6d

Healthy processed event from Hybrid War Tracker

Status: Healthy (Processed) Last Updated: 2026-02-14 Confidence: Low Classification: Cyber & Information Warfare > Information Operations > Propaganda & disinformation campaigns Country: Italy Where: Cyberspace Tag: Russia Tag: Italy Tag: hybrid warfare Tag: cyberattacks Tag: disinformation Tag: influence operations Tag: Alexander Dugin Tag: Kremlin Tag: Italy-Ukraine support Tag: political polarization Tag: academic influence Aggressor Confidence: High
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Event Time
11mo ago
Created
2w ago
✏️
Updated
21h ago

Summary

Headline: Russia is escalating hybrid warfare against Italy as of March 2025 by conducting cyberattacks, disinformation, and influence operations aimed at weakening Italy’s support for Ukraine.

Short Summary: As of March 14, 2025, Russia is intensifying its hybrid warfare campaign against Italy, combining cyberattacks on Italian government websites and critical infrastructure with propaganda and influence operations. The Russian objective is to erode Italy’s political cohesion and public consensus supporting Ukraine and its Euro-Atlantic alignment. This includes efforts at Russian disinformation exploiting NATO skepticism, media ambiguity, and academic openness in Italy, as well as targeting Italian universities and cultural institutions. Italian officials, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, have condemned these moves, signaling strong institutional resistance. Russia’s Kremlin-backed propaganda figures, such as Alexander Dugin, are also active in framing Italy’s political leaders and fostering narratives to destabilize unity. Italy remains highly targeted due to its geopolitical significance and internal political polarization.

Extended Summary: As of March 14, 2025, Russia is intensifying its hybrid warfare campaign against Italy, combining cyberattacks on Italian government websites and critical infrastructure with propaganda and influence operations. The Russian objective is to erode Italy’s political cohesion and public consensus supporting Ukraine and its Euro-Atlantic alignment. This includes efforts at Russian disinformation exploiting NATO skepticism, media ambiguity, and academic openness in Italy, as well as targeting Italian universities and cultural institutions. Italian officials, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, have condemned these moves, signaling strong institutional resistance. Russia’s Kremlin-backed propaganda figures, such as Alexander Dugin, are also active in framing Italy’s political leaders and fostering narratives to destabilize unity. Italy remains highly targeted due to its geopolitical significance and internal political polarization.

Description

Russia is ramping up hybrid warfare in Italy, combining cyberattacks, disinformation, and influence operations to weaken Rome's support for Ukraine. Russian-linked hackers have targeted Italian government websites and key infrastructure in retaliation for Italy’s backing of Ukraine. Kremlin rhetoric has escalated with direct verbal attacks on Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Italian universities have become soft targets for Russian influence, hosting events linked to Kremlin-backed media and propagandists. The pro-Russian ideological offensive is driven by figures like Alexander Dugin, who frames Italy's populist leadership as both betraying and realigning with Russia. Italy remains a prime target due to its internal divisions and geopolitical importance.

Event Classification

Aggressor Event

Rationale

The article clearly describes Russia escalating hostile hybrid warfare activities against Italy, including cyberattacks, disinformation, and ideological influence targeting Italian government, institutions, and public opinion. Italian officials' responses are mentioned but no defensive measure or preparation is detailed as the main event.