Crosetto: “The events in Milan are the result of hybrid warfare”

The violence over the weekend in Milan and other Italian cities is “fundamentally different from that experienced in other eras” and is “the result of what I call a hybrid war”. This was stated by the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, speaking at the Defence Procurement Forum currently taking place in Rome. According to the minister, this war is being waged “within our nations” using “unconventional tools such as TikTok, social media and YouTube, without the West realising it or taking any action”.

Crosetto then spoke about the young people who took part in the demonstrations: “If three out of ten young people took part in those demonstrations, we’re not talking about Maranza, or second-generation Italians. If six out of ten support them, it is because in recent years they have been subjected to a form of ‘counter-education’ somewhere – not from their family or at school.” A form of ‘counter-education’, he added, “which has instilled in them values, ambitions, a worldview and points of reference” that are at odds “with the society in which we live and with democratic principles”.

The minister’s comments come after two days of unrest in central Milan, on 17 and 18 October, which began at the end of a protest march against the high cost of living organised via social media. Over 270 people were arrested, the majority of whom were minors. The government has ordered the deployment of a further 500 military personnel to the city, a decision taken by Crosetto together with Under-Secretary Matteo Perego. A Cabinet meeting has been called for this afternoon to discuss new public order measures.

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, also spoke on the subject. According to the Head of State, “an intelligent and in-depth analysis is required” and “careful vigilance is needed to counteract acts of violence” perpetrated by “unidentified individuals”.

As Carmelo Caruso writes today in Il Foglio, the intelligence services are examining the accounts commenting on videos of the clashes. Among these, automated profiles have been identified, such as one identified by the name .dima.1.3.1.2. and accompanied by a Russian flag. And the government fears infiltration by pro-Russian propaganda even in Telegram channels linked to the protests. This is not proof but rather circumstantial evidence. However, Crosetto’s comments confirm that suspicions extend beyond mere speculation within the Ministry of Defence.