Milan – On Tuesday, a group of pro-Russian hackers launched an offensive against the websites of various Italian government branches. This action was claimed as a reaction to comments made by President Sergio Mattarella, who had likened Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the “wars of conquest” undertaken by the Nazis.
The hacker collective known as NoName57 took to social media to announce their cyberattacks, which affected the websites of the Italian ministries of defense, interior, and transport, along with several law enforcement agencies. While the sites were intermittently accessible, users experienced significant difficulties.
Earlier, on Monday, the group had claimed responsibility for attacking a number of Italian banks, ports, airports, and local transportation services; however, these actions did not result in widespread interruptions.
During a recent trip to Montenegro, President Mattarella commented on the hacking incidents, expressing his hope that Russia could re-establish a constructive role within the international community while adhering to international law and respecting the sovereignty of all nations.
In a speech delivered in Marseille, France, on February 5, Mattarella warned that history was repeating itself in ways reminiscent of the lead-up to World War II, highlighting current conflicts as “wars of conquest.” He specifically noted that such aggressions bear resemblance to the ambitions of the Third Reich in Europe, directly linking them to today’s Russian actions against Europe.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry, voiced her dissatisfaction with the Italian president’s statements, signaling further diplomatic friction over the ongoing conflict and its portrayal in international discourse.
