The Federation of Ukrainian Associations (FUA) in Italy, with the support of prominent Italian organizations, is organizing a rally to combat Russian disinformation. The event will take place on Feb. 2 in Bologna at 3 p.m. local time, as announced by Olena Kim, an activist of the Ukrainian community in Italy, in comments to the Ukrainian World Congress.
Politicians, journalists, opinion leaders, and Ukrainians traveling from across Italy will assemble in the northern Italian city.
The event addresses the surge in Russian disinformation campaigns in the country. Kremlin propagandists have been orchestrating pro-Russian events, including film screenings that justify the invasion of Ukraine, visual campaigns promoting “people’s friendship,” the dissemination of pro-Kremlin media narratives, and even embedding propaganda into Italian school textbooks.
“We address these incidents consistently, but this time, we aim to hold a large-scale event to call on the Italian authorities to establish clear legal restrictions against the spread of Russian propaganda,” Kim said.
Participants will also advocate for designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The FUA in Italy has a track record of countering Russian propaganda. Last year in Modena, a pro-Russian “cultural association” planned an exhibition about the alleged “revival” of Mariupol, which had been devastated by Russian forces.
“On Jan. 3 last year, I came across an announcement about this event on social media and immediately contacted activists, politicians, and the city administration. The information spread quickly; we also alerted the consulate and embassy. In the end, the event was canceled,” Kim said.
Over the past year, Kim and her team of activists and fact-checkers have been monitoring instances of disinformation in Italian school textbooks. They reviewed over 60 books, including geography textbooks, and discovered that some incorrectly depicted Crimea as Russian territory.
“We compiled a dossier, and professors from several Italian universities joined our campaign to combat this disinformation,” Kim said.
Despite sanctions and restrictions, Russian propagandists continue to spread their narratives among Italians. They organize film screenings in hotel halls, municipal spaces, and even churches.
“They present these films under the guise of peace, truth, and freedom, while grossly distorting reality,” Kim said.
Such screenings have even been held in prestigious four- and five-star hotels, where organizers misled the venue owners about the events’ true purpose.
Kim also noted that propagandists collaborate with anti-vaccine advocates and attempt to recruit those who oppose “the system.” Their activities are particularly active in smaller towns.
“We’re exhausted from chasing every one of their events. Beyond films, they also host seminars about Russia’s ‘friendship’ with North Korea,” Kim added.
The Ukrainian community emphasizes that Russian disinformation, both overt and hybrid aggression, is a threat to not just Ukrainians but also to Italians.
“This is the message we want to underline. Ukraine’s defeat would jeopardize global security. The future of modern democracy depends on this,” Kim said.
The rally in Bologna aims to be “a moment for reflection, awareness, and action,” according to the organizers.
“We cannot remain indifferent to an issue that affects everyone. Let’s protect the truth for the sake of our future and the generations to come,” the group said.
More details are available via this link.
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