The Kremlin regards disinformation operations against Italy as key to its aims in Europe and Africa.
By Emanuele Rossi and Paolo Messa, for CEPA
Italy has become a primary target of Russia’s hybrid warfare due to its steadfast support for Ukraine and its alignment with NATO and the transatlantic relationship. This has placed Italy in Moscow’s crosshairs, leading to a multi-pronged Russian strategy to undermine Rome’s interests through information warfare, cyberattacks, political subversion, and strategic maneuvering in Africa.
However, there is no sign that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is buckling. Italy supported Ukraine as a “a people fighting for their freedom against an unjust aggression,” she told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC on February 23.
Russia has directly targeted Italian institutions and the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella for his firm Euro-Atlantic stance through disinformation campaigns, diplomatic confrontations, and cyberattacks aimed at undermining his credibility and destabilizing Italy’s political landscape. The Kremlin reacted strongly to his February 5 remarks, interpreting them as a comparison between Russia and the Third Reich.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced them as “blasphemous inventions” on February 14 and warned of unspecified “consequences” on February 17. The following day, Mattarella reaffirmed Italy’s position, urging Russia to respect the sovereignty of all nations.
Russian narratives portray the Meloni government as subservient to Washington in a bid to exploit political divisions in Italy. State-sponsored media and social campaigns amplify opposition voices critical of its Ukraine stance, spreading disinformation to erode public trust and fuel skepticism toward Italy’s NATO and EU alignment. Pro-Russian hacker groups have attacked Italian websites, including government portals and major firms.
The aim is to make Meloni’s pro-Ukrainian stance more difficult in a country where pro-Ukrainian sentiment is lower than in other large EU members. Meloni has stuck to her guns on the issue, although she is also pursuing the difficult task of staying close to President Trump’s increasingly hostile policies toward Ukraine. The two are known to get on well.
The Kremlin’s approach is to adjust its messaging, according to the audience. It emphasizes promoting peace to the left and sovereignty to the right. This dual approach maximizes its influence within Italy’s political landscape. Economic leverage remains a key factor, as Italy’s historical dependence on Russian energy continues to shape political debates and public opinion on the country’s role in the conflict.
Beyond hybrid attacks in Europe, Russia similarly challenges Italian interests in Africa, particularly in the Mediterranean, Horn of Africa, Red Sea, and Sahel regions. Through the mercenary units of the Afrika Corps and other hard and soft power influence networks, Moscow is strengthening its presence in areas of traditional Italian engagement. Russian-backed militias have facilitated human trafficking routes, exacerbating migration flows to Italy, a tactic that is part of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy.
Moscow is also working to undermine Italian energy agreements with key African partners, attempting to disrupt Rome’s diversification efforts. The Kremlin’s approach in Africa contrasts sharply with Italy’s vision under the Mattei Plan, which is based on equal cooperation and sustainable development.
While Russia pursues a transactional strategy, offering military and political backing to elites in exchange for resource access and geopolitical leverage, Italy promotes partnerships centered on mutual growth and long-term stability. By securing a military presence in strategic locations, Moscow seeks to enhance its bargaining power with Western powers and consolidate its foothold in a region critical to Italian energy security.
Italy is a primary target of Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe and the Mediterranean due to its strategic location, firm NATO commitments, and efforts to counter Russian influence in Africa. The combination of propaganda, cyber operations, political subversion signals that the Kremlin sees Rome as a key player to undermine.
Expanding strategic engagement in Africa through accelerating the Mattei Plan and strengthening partnerships with key African nations will be crucial in countering Russian influence. Additionally, Italy should capitalize on its central position in grand-strategy connectivity projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Three Seas Initiative to reinforce its geopolitical relevance in Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.
Enhanced coordination with NATO and the EU is necessary to formulate a collective response to hybrid threats emanating from Russia. Italy faces an increasingly complex security environment in which Moscow seeks to weaken its stability and international standing.
The Kremlin’s campaign specifically targets Meloni’s leadership, which actively seeks to support Ukraine and ensure Italian energy security. At a time of deep geopolitical uncertainty, it is critical that Italy’s allies support Rome’s firm stance against Putin’s aggression.
By Emanuele Rossi and Paolo Messa, for CEPA
Emanuele Rossi is a senior analyst at Formiche and Decode39, specializing in international politics with a focus on the Indo-Mediterranean region.
Paolo Messa is a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center. He was the chairman of the board of directors of Leonardo US Corporation, Inc. and executive vice president for geostrategic relations.
Europe’s Edge is CEPA’s online journal covering critical topics on the foreign policy docket across Europe and North America. All opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or views of the institutions they represent or the Center for European Policy Analysis.
