Russia seeks to foster acceptance of Putin among Italians

Over the past two days, Russian state media have been flooded with articles reporting that congratulatory leaflets for Putin's birthday were distributed in Italy. These reports trace back to TASS, which cites an “Italian journalist” who claims to have started the campaign with a friend.

According to the reports, leaflets featuring a portrait of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, along with the message "Happy Birthday, President" in both Russian and Italian, were distributed on the streets of Genoa. This was announced on October 6 by Vincenzo Lorusso, a journalist and founder of the Donbass italia Telegram channel.

On Monday, October 7, Putin turns 72 years old. In addition to Lorusso, the socio-political association Contronarrazione is also reportedly involved in organizing the campaign.

Lorusso told TASS, "In the coming days, we are planning another event to express the views of the majority of Italians, which are suppressed by the mainstream media."

The timing of this campaign, which aligns with Putin's 72nd birthday, carries significant symbolism. Russian media frequently leverage such occasions to highlight Putin's cult of personality, presenting him as a strong and respected leader. The celebratory leaflets distributed internationally contribute to this narrative, suggesting that Putin enjoys admiration not just within Russia but also on the global stage. This form of messaging bolsters his image as a prominent figure worldwide, a portrayal that is particularly important for domestic audiences who may be feeling the effects of Russia's ongoing international isolation.

Pro-Russian billboard campaign in Italy raises alarms over Kremlin's influence in Europe

According to Insight News, in September, a pro-Russian billboard campaign appeared in Italian cities with the slogan “Russia is not our enemy,” featuring a handshake in the colors of the Italian and Russian flags. Similar posters later emerged in France, shared by far-right activist Christian Bouchet, suggesting an international, coordinated pro-Kremlin effort in line with Putin's war on Ukraine.

Anton Shekhovtsov, Director of the Centre for Democratic Integrity, linked this propaganda to Russian operatives. Some posters in Rome also called for halting financial support for weapons to Ukraine and Israel, sparking outrage and prompting city authorities to remove them. The Ukrainian Embassy in Italy condemned the campaign as an attempt to rehabilitate Russia’s image, urging authorities to reconsider allowing such posters.

While some Italian regions removed the billboards, others left them up. CNN reported that the Italian right-wing group Sovranità Popolare was involved but later denied responsibility, citing Article 11 of the Italian Constitution, which rejects war as a tool for aggression.

The same poster appeared in Russian-occupied Donetsk, revealing a possible connection between the campaigns. Italian activist Domenico Aglioti, known for pro-Putin views, was reportedly behind the Italian campaign, which he claimed was crowd-funded. However, Shekhovtsov linked it to a similar effort in northern Italy over the summer, coordinated by the Veneto-Russia Cultural Association.

This association, led by Palmarino Zoccatelli, previously opened a “representation center” for the Russian-backed Donetsk People’s Republic in Verona. Zoccatelli’s group includes key pro-Russian figures like Stefano Valdegamberi and Eliseo Bertolasi, both tied to Russian influence networks.

Bertolasi’s connections to Russian state media and possible ties to Russian intelligence were highlighted by Shekhovtsov. A Latvian investigation also linked Russian FSB officer Aleksey Stovbun to other pro-Kremlin actors, such as Serbian activist Dragana Trifković, involved in monitoring fake elections in Russian-controlled territories.

These developments point to a well-funded, coordinated effort by Russian operatives and far-right groups across Europe to reduce support for Ukraine and promote Moscow’s interests.