Italian authorities have begun investigating whether Russia and other external players could be involved in the riots that erupted during protests in Milan and other European cities. According to Bloomberg, Giorgia Meloni’s government has requested a report on the possible role of foreign provocateurs in the recent unrest. The decision to launch an investigation comes as the scale of violence and the noticeable coordination of certain attacks led officials to doubt whether the events were merely a spontaneous expression of anger.
Protests Escalating into Riots
Over the weekend, protests against the high cost of living in Paris, Milan, and other European cities escalated into riots and arson. The most extensive unrest was recorded in France: on October 17, at least 550,000 people took to the streets, according to reports, with protests turning into clashes in many cities, and a 19th-century town hall burning down in Limoges. French President Emmanuel Macron blamed the events on far-left activists and criminals who joined the protests.
«Hybrid Warfare» and the Role of Social Media
The Italian Defense Minister stated that the events in Milan and other Italian cities are «fundamentally different» from those previously observed and, according to him, are the result of what he called «hybrid warfare» being waged against European countries by someone using non-traditional tools—TikTok, social media, and YouTube. The minister also claimed that children aged 11–12 participating in the protests appeared to have undergone «counter-education», though he provided no details.
Military in Milan and Opposition Reaction
With further protests planned for this weekend, the government decided to deploy 500 military personnel to Milan until the end of the year to prevent new violence. The opposition, in turn, accuses Meloni’s government of using the unrest to score political points ahead of next year's elections, rather than addressing the economic and social problems that sparked the protests.
Context: Intelligence Warnings
European intelligence services have reportedly long warned about Russian hybrid operations on the continent. According to the Financial Times, the Kremlin has ordered an expansion of sabotage activities in Europe aimed at weakening support for Ukraine in the coming months. It is within this context that Italian authorities are considering the version of possible foreign involvement in the recent riots, although no confirmed evidence of specific foreign state involvement in the Milan events has yet been presented.
