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Hier — 21 juillet 2025Flux principal
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Archaeologists find 14th-century Italian fortress beneath Odesa’s famous duke monument
    Archaeological excavations at Primorsky Boulevard near the Duke de Richelieu monument in Odesa have uncovered 14th-century Genoese materials, rector of the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University, Andriy Krasnozhen, wrote on Facebook on 19 July. The three-week dig, conducted by students from South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University and researchers from the Academy of Sciences Institute of Archaeology, revealed cultural layers from the Italian fortress called Ginestra, followed by
     

Archaeologists find 14th-century Italian fortress beneath Odesa’s famous duke monument

21 juillet 2025 à 07:00

Archaeological excavations at Primorsky Boulevard near the Duke de Richelieu monument in Odesa have uncovered 14th-century Genoese materials, rector of the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University, Andriy Krasnozhen, wrote on Facebook on 19 July.

The three-week dig, conducted by students from South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University and researchers from the Academy of Sciences Institute of Archaeology, revealed cultural layers from the Italian fortress called Ginestra, followed by the Ottoman fortress Hadjibey.

“The archaeological expedition on Primorsky Boulevard in Odesa is complete. An extraordinarily successful season in terms of results,” wrote university rector Andriy Krasnozhon on Facebook.

The excavated materials show that an Italian fortress originally stood on this territory, later replaced by Ottoman fortifications. Remains of these fortifications were discovered near the funicular railway.

Ivan Liptuga, director of Odesa City Council’s culture department, commented that this represents “a major event for the city, for the country, for history.”

“Now this will become one of the attributes of the universal value of the UNESCO World Heritage Site!,” he said.

The excavations resumed on 30 June 2025.

“Now we know exactly what is literally located under the Duke. Under him are cultural layers 2,500 years old. These are remains of the ancient Greek colony Harbor of Istrians. It was created in the 6th century BCE and existed for 300-400 years,” Krasnozhon said earlier.

Ground-penetrating radar studies in 2021 first detected an anomaly on Primorsky Boulevard unrelated to modern communications. Follow-up investigations in spring 2025 confirmed these findings. Krasnozhon expressed confidence that “a stone fortress Hadjibey stood here.”

The rector thanked Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov and European Solidarity faction MP Oleksiy Goncharenko for supporting the expedition. He promised to provide more detailed results later.

No previous excavations had been conducted on the semicircular square where the Duke monument stands.

The Italian maritime republic centered in Genoa existed from 1005-1797, maintaining an extensive network of settlements and trading posts across the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and European Atlantic coast. The merchant-ruled oligarchic republic profited significantly from Black Sea slave trade until the mid-15th century, actively exporting slaves to Egypt and Western Europe.

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  • Italy cancels Putin ally conductor Valery Gergiev’s first Western concert since Ukraine war
    The Italian Ministry of Culture has reversed its decision to allow Russian conductor Valery Gergiev to perform at the Un’Estate da RE festival this summer, marking what would have been his first Western appearance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. The concert of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev was scheduled for 27 July at the Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gergiev publicly supports the Russian regime and its military aggression against Ukraine. Russia strategical
     

Italy cancels Putin ally conductor Valery Gergiev’s first Western concert since Ukraine war

21 juillet 2025 à 06:17

alery_gergiev_putin

The Italian Ministry of Culture has reversed its decision to allow Russian conductor Valery Gergiev to perform at the Un’Estate da RE festival this summer, marking what would have been his first Western appearance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began.

The concert of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev was scheduled for 27 July at the Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gergiev publicly supports the Russian regime and its military aggression against Ukraine. Russia strategically uses culture—through events, institutions, and historical narratives—as a tool to spread propaganda, justify state actions, and shape public opinion both domestically and abroad. The Ukrainian community in Italy has called to cancel his concert. 

Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli explained the reversal by distinguishing between artistic freedom and political messaging. “Art is free and cannot be censored,” Giuli said, according to ANSA.

“Propaganda, however, even if done with talent, is something else. That is why the concert by Putin’s friend and adviser Valery Gergiev, which the Campania Regional Government wanted, organized and paid for, at the Reggia di Caserta, which is independent in its choice of events to host like all autonomous institutes of the ministry of culture, risks giving the wrong message,” he added.

Gergiev was scheduled to conduct the Orchestra of the Teatro Verdi di Salerno alongside soloists from the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra on 27 July. The St. Petersburg-based Mariinsky Theater is where Gergiev serves as artistic director.

The planned performance sparked significant opposition from Italian politicians and international activists. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, urged Italy to cancel the concert.

Campania’s president Vincenzo De Luca defended the original invitation, arguing that cultural boycotts were counterproductive.

De Luca, who has criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, said he invited both Gergiev and Israeli conductor Daniel Oren to keep “channels of communication open even with those who do not think like us.”

The conductor Valery Gergiev has faced widespread boycotts across Western cultural institutions since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Peter Gelb, General Manager of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, stated that Gergiev “is no less than an artistic stand-in for Putin.”

Following the invasion, Gergiev was dismissed from his position as Chief Conductor of the Munich Philharmonic. Additional institutions that severed ties included the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, BIS Records, Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and the Vienna Philharmonic.

Most recently, Gergiev was named on a fresh list of Canadian sanctions against Russia released in late June 2025. The sanctions were announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 summit.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Italy’s giving a concert for Putin—and Europe is paying
    Valery Gergiev, the Russian conductor and longtime ally of Vladimir Putin, is scheduled to perform on July 27 at the Un’estate da Re festival in the Royal Palace of Caserta, Italy. Tickets are already on sale. This marks his loud and controversial return to the European stage after years of exclusion due to his vocal support for Russia’s war against Ukraine — and, astonishingly, with the help of public funding, including European Union cohesion funds, despite the fact that Gergiev has been s
     

Italy’s giving a concert for Putin—and Europe is paying

19 juillet 2025 à 15:43

Gergiev Putin Russian art supports war Italy concert

Valery Gergiev, the Russian conductor and longtime ally of Vladimir Putin, is scheduled to perform on July 27 at the Un’estate da Re festival in the Royal Palace of Caserta, Italy. Tickets are already on sale.

This marks his loud and controversial return to the European stage after years of exclusion due to his vocal support for Russia’s war against Ukraine — and, astonishingly, with the help of public funding, including European Union cohesion funds, despite the fact that Gergiev has been sanctioned in several countries.

But behind the mask of the great conductor lies something far more troubling. A recent Linkiesta investigation exposes a sophisticated network of shady foundations, fictitious companies, and significant real estate holdings spanning Venice, Milan, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast.

At its center sits a monumental estate in Massa Lubrense that allegedly hosts meetings aimed at circumventing international sanctions and diffusing Russian propaganda narratives through cultural interventions.

Where Gergiev is banned vs. where he’s welcome

Gergiev protests Russian music art
A protest against a concert of Gergiev in London on 12 May 2014. Screenshot from video

Unlike Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Scandinavian nations — where cultural institutions severed ties with pro-Kremlin artists — Italy has chosen a more “tolerant” or “neutral” approach. Some even echo the favorite mantra of Russian propaganda: “Art is above politics.”

Here’s a reminder of where Gergiev has been banned:

  • Germany: Fired from the Munich Philharmonic.
  • UK: Removed from the Edinburgh Festival and other programming.
  • USA: Canceled performances and tours.
  • France: Banned from Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and other venues.
  • Canada: Included in the list of individual sanctions.

But in Italy, Gergiev seems to be welcomed with open arms — all in the name of “cultural dialogue,” even as war crimes continue in Ukraine.

Putin’s conductor: A history of regime support

Gergiev, Putin’s most loyal cultural ally who received the specially revived Hero of Labour award in 2013, has never hidden his loyalty to the Putin regime.

He publicly praised the president, supported Russia’s “great revival,” and in 2014, endorsed the annexation of Crimea. That same year, he led a concert in Moscow honoring Russia’s armed forces.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, cultural leaders around the world called for a boycott of Gergiev, accusing him of direct complicity in the Kremlin’s aggression. Major orchestras and opera houses in Europe and the US dropped him. In 2022, La Scala dropped him from its programming after he refused to condemn the war in Ukraine.

His appointment to control both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theaters wasn’t just ceremonial — it followed the ouster of Vladimir Urin, who had dared to sign an anti-war petition in 2022, making Gergiev’s loyalty even more valuable to the Kremlin.

His fondness for dictators and warlords predates Ukraine. In 2016, following the Russian and Syrian military seizure of Palmyra, Gergiev performed a highly publicized “liberation concert” among the ruins. Broadcast widely on Russian state TV, the concert served as cultural propaganda to legitimize Moscow’s role in Syria and reinforce Putin’s image as a “defender of civilization.”

The €100 million Italian empire and sanctions evasion network

Gergiev's property in Italy
The Palazzo Barbarigo in Venice belonging to Gergiev. Image: By Tony Hisgett, Wikimedia Commons

The financial mechanics behind his Italian operations reveal a more complex picture. As early as 2022, Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation documented that Gergiev had diverted over 300 million rubles into personal accounts, using cultural foundations funded by Gazprombank, Rosneft, and VTB.

Gergiev owns a real estate empire in Italy, reportedly worth more than €100 million, inherited from Countess Yoko Nagae Ceschina, a Japanese harpist and philanthropist. Her will granted him the Barbarigo Palace on Venice’s Grand Canal, the historic Caffè Quadri in Piazza San Marco, an 18-room villa in Olgiate, vast land holdings in Romagna, and a villa on the Sorrento Coast.

Recently, Italy’s famous Alajmo restaurant family renewed its rental agreement for Caffè Quadri — paying Gergiev €3.5 million over seven years. This means a sanctioned Kremlin-aligned figure is directly profiting from Italy’s most prestigious public spaces.

Caffe Quadri in Venice, leased to Valery Gergiev. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Massimiliano Coccia’s Linkiesta investigation reveals something more systematic: at least a dozen satellite companies orbiting around Gergiev’s main operations, spanning real estate, cultural, and logistics sectors across Campania, Lazio, and Lombardy.

Their common trait? Opacity. A portion of the revenue from these activities is reinvested into pseudo-cultural initiatives that bolster Russian propaganda.

EU funds for Putin’s ally

And now, in July 2025, Gergiev is scheduled to perform in Campania — at a festival funded in part by the Italian government, the Campania regional administration, the Teatro Verdi in Salerno, and Italy’s Ministry of Culture. It is officially branded as a cultural initiative supported by EU Cohesion Funds (Fondi Coesione Italia 21/27).

This makes any attempt to “normalize” Gergiev’s presence even more troubling.

Art as propaganda: The Bolshoi’s latest production

Gergiev himself constantly proves art isn’t neutral. Just this month, his Bolshoi Theatre closed its season with a production of Prokofiev’s opera Semyon Kotko that ended with a message glorifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:

“In 2014, a junta seized power in Kyiv and began repressions against its own citizens. In response, the residents of the city and region proclaimed the Luhansk People’s Republic. Instead of negotiations, the criminal Kyiv regime began the destruction of Donbas.”

Bolshoi Teatr airs Russian propaganda. Source: La Stampa

Immediately following that, the next paragraph was projected:

“In February 2022, the Russian army came to the aid of the people of Donbas, who had been fighting for their lives and freedom for eight years. As a result of a nationwide referendum, Luhansk has forever returned to being part of Russia.”

This wasn’t art — it was state propaganda using opera as a delivery system, reversing historical facts to justify war crimes. As La Repubblica noted in its coverage, Gergiev’s own theater made it explicitly clear that the opposite of “art is outside politics” is true.

Why cultural neutrality during wartime is complicity

And now — after three years of genocide, missile strikes on residential buildings, torture and executions of prisoners, and mass atrocities documented by international bodies — this concert in Campania becomes part of a broader trend: the normalization of brutality through culture.

At this point, let’s be clear: art is never apolitical — especially during a war. We cannot ignore the fact that Valery Gergiev is not merely a world-class conductor, but a public ally of a regime internationally accused of war crimes. His return to the European stage is not a neutral cultural gesture — it is a political act.

Gergiev’s return to the European stage is not a neutral cultural gesture — it is a political act.

Yes, in peacetime, one might argue for “separating art and politics.” But in wartime — especially a war of conquest launched in 2014 and escalated into full invasion in 2022 — such neutrality becomes complicity.

Allowing figures like Gergiev — whose regime is bombing cities, deporting children, and jailing dissidents — to perform on publicly funded stages is not just tone-deaf. It is an ethical failure.

The unanswered question about local facilitators

Inviting Gergiev to Campania — with European funds — is a dangerous appeasement of Russia’s cultural offensive, which seeks to blur the line between art and propaganda.

As EU Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno rightly noted, publicly funding Putin’s allies is unacceptable. It sends the wrong signal — a signal of surrender.

While De Luca tries to mask this performance under the guise of tolerance, peace, and dialogue, Picierno confronts him with a point that is hard to refute: among the many equally famous and talented Russian musicians who have condemned the war, the Campania Region chooses Putin’s faithful friend and ally.

But the crucial question raised by investigators remains unanswered: which local entrepreneur or company proposed Gergiev’s engagement to the Campania Region? Who acted as facilitator for an event that showcases Russian power while a war rages?

New York USA protest against Gergive
A protest against a concert of Gergiev at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2015. Photo: Arts against Aggression

The protests growing internationally

The announcement has ignited protests across Italy and abroad.

  • Over 700 intellectuals—including Nobel laureates—signed an open letter declaring the event “a gift to the dictator.”
  • Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the Russian opposition leader killed in a Russian prison camp, stressed that Gergiev is part of the regime that killed her husband.
  • The Europa Radicale party launched its own petition and started buying tickets to bring protests inside the venue.

Italy’s Culture Minister withdrew approval for the concert, warning that using cultural platforms to amplify propaganda is unacceptable. Despite mounting criticism, the concert remains scheduled for 27 July, with the Caserta Police Headquarters monitoring the event through DIGOS (Italian Special Operations Unit).

There are fears that the protest, promoted by Ukrainian associations as well as Russian dissidents, could spill over into the Royal Palace. Many of the tickets for the front rows have sold out, and those who purchased them were representatives of Italian and Ukrainian associations, as confirmed by the president of one of these.

Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani responded to criticism by noting that Gergiev holds a Dutch passport, so he can travel freely within the EU. The questions about how Gergiev obtained his Dutch passport while maintaining Russian citizenship have remained unanswered for almost a decade.

Russian state media celebrates the “return to Europe”

Russian state media is already hailing the concert as Gergiev’s triumphant “return to Europe,” claiming Italy will not cancel the event.

Once again, culture is weaponized. Since Soviet times, music, ballet, and the arts have been key tools of Kremlin messaging. The KGB had entire departments focused on shaping the regime’s image through culture.

This is not about freedom of expression. It’s about responsibility. Art can either support humanism or whitewash violence. When Gergiev conducts in war zones or imperial ruins, he’s not just waving a baton. He’s legitimizing state terror.

What message is Italy sending by supporting Ukraine politically, but welcoming Kremlin propagandists culturally?

When sanctions are among the few peaceful forms of pressure we have left, any cultural compromise becomes a form of complicity. Those who claim “art is above politics” must ask: above whose politics? Above human rights? Democracy? Solidarity?

And in the end — as always — it is the innocent who pay the price.

Editor’s note. The opinions expressed in our Opinion section belong to their authors. Euromaidan Press’ editorial team may or may not share them.

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Italy faces backlash for hosting Russian conductor, who backs killings Putin’s regime, at UNESCO World Heritage palace

19 juillet 2025 à 14:26

The Ukrainian community in Italy has called to cancel the concert of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, scheduled for 27 July at the Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gergiev publicly supports the Russian regime and its military aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has always made art and culture highly politicized, using past accomplishments as reflections of its power. Earlier, Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, said that art is a symbol and expression of civilization, whereas Russia has treated it as a propaganda tool. 

The community has sent a letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Dr. Antonio Patuelli, Chair of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO, and the Italian Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli.

The activists emphasize that Gergiev’s support “goes beyond the realm of art” and includes public acts that legitimize a regime responsible for war crimes, the deportation of children, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and on Ukraine’s cultural heritage, which is also under UNESCO protection.

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence: Russia loots ancient treasures from Crimea’s UNESCO heritage site

“Ukrainians view UNESCO as the last line of defense for fundamental values: memory, truth, and respect, all of which the Russian government blatantly disregards,” the letter continues.

The Ukrainian community continues, “How can an institution that safeguards the dignity and memory of nations allow one of its protected sites to host an artist who has become a global symbol of military propaganda?”

“How can it ignore how deeply offensive this decision is to the victims of the conflict, to the Ukrainian people, and to all those fighting for peace and justice worldwide?” the activists say. 

The letter also argues that holding Gergiev’s concert at a historical site like the Palace of Caserta contradicts UNESCO’s principles of protecting peace, cultural heritage, and solidarity among peoples.

Ukrainian supporters to rally in Bologna after Russian propaganda found in Italian textbooks
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  • Europol dismantles pro-Russian cyber army flooding Ukraine and its allies with attacks
    A global law enforcement campaign has dealt a blow to the pro-Russian cyber army known as NoName057(16). Europol confirmed that about 20 countries helped dismantle the network behind thousands of attacks on Ukraine’s supporters. Russia’s massive cyberattacks against Ukraine escalated shortly before the full-scale invasion in 2022. Since November 2023, Germany has documented recurring attacks tied to NoName057(16). Investigators also linked the group to incidents in 2023 and 2024 that targeted Uk
     

Europol dismantles pro-Russian cyber army flooding Ukraine and its allies with attacks

19 juillet 2025 à 08:09

europol dismantles pro-russian cyber army flooding ukraine its allies attacks flickr/world's direction crime cyberattack hackers coordinated crackdown wiped out over 100 systems tied kremlin-backed noname057(16) global law enforcement campaign has

A global law enforcement campaign has dealt a blow to the pro-Russian cyber army known as NoName057(16). Europol confirmed that about 20 countries helped dismantle the network behind thousands of attacks on Ukraine’s supporters.

Russia’s massive cyberattacks against Ukraine escalated shortly before the full-scale invasion in 2022. Since November 2023, Germany has documented recurring attacks tied to NoName057(16). Investigators also linked the group to incidents in 2023 and 2024 that targeted Ukrainian diplomatic efforts. While Ukraine remains a central target, the group increasingly strikes at Kyiv’s allies. These include several NATO and EU members actively supporting Ukraine’s defense against the Russian war of aggression.

Europol targets ideological cyber group tied to Russia’s war

Europol reported that between 14 and 17 July, authorities from 12 countries launched Operation Eastwood. Europol and Eurojust coordinated the joint crackdown. The effort reportedly dismantled major parts of the pro-Russian cyber army’s infrastructure, including hundreds of systems.

The network, NoName057(16), had attacked Ukraine and NATO member states. It used distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to flood websites and services with traffic. These cyber strikes targeted public services, including defense, government, energy, and financial infrastructure.

Germany issued six arrest warrants for suspects based in Russia. Two are accused of leading the group’s activities. Spain issued another arrest warrant. France and Spain also reported one arrest each. All suspects are internationally wanted.

Authorities carried out 24 house searches and questioned 13 individuals across Europe. In Spain alone, 12 searches took place. Investigators also notified over 1,000 individuals believed to support the cyber group. Fifteen of them were administrators.

Attacks tied to political and military events across Europe

Europol reports that the group’s cyberattacks were timed to coincide with high-profile political moments. In Germany, authorities experienced 14 separate attack waves since November 2023, affecting more than 250 institutions. Targets included arms factories, energy companies, and government agencies.

Other attacks struck during the European elections. Swedish government and banking websites were affected. In Switzerland, NoName057(16) launched attacks in June 2023, during a speech by Ukraine’s president to the Joint Parliament. Another wave occurred in June 2024 during the Peace Summit for Ukraine at Bürgenstock.

The most recent attack linked to the group targeted the NATO summit held in the Netherlands in June 2025. Europol notes that although the attacks caused disruption attempts, none led to substantial outages.

Recruitment tactics built on crypto rewards and gamified propaganda

Europol identifies NoName057(16) as an ideological cyber network that operated without formal leadership. The group recruited mostly Russian-speaking sympathizers, many with little technical knowledge. Its structure relied heavily on gamified propaganda and incentives.

Volunteers received cryptocurrency payments and recognition through online shout-outs, badges, and leaderboards. Europol notes this method especially appealed to younger users who felt emotionally involved in Russia’s political narratives.

The group used pro-Russian forums, messaging apps, and gaming channels to recruit and coordinate. Europol says it also developed its own botnet made up of several hundred servers. These were used to amplify DDoS attacks against selected targets.

To simplify participation, NoName057(16) distributed guides and tools like DDoSia. Europol also launched a prevention campaign warning suspected supporters of their criminal liability, delivered via the same communication platforms.

 

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Italy invites Russian conductor to perform. He supports war against Ukraine while Italy declares “art above politics”

16 juillet 2025 à 18:59

alery_gergiev_putin

Italy faces internal division over an upcoming performance by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev at a state-backed music festival, with critics arguing the event risks legitimizing Kremlin propaganda while supporters defend artistic freedom.

But Gergiev isn’t just any Russian artist. He appeared in Putin’s 2012 campaign ads. Endorsed the Crimea annexation. Conducted a patriotic concert in Syria’s ancient Palmyra after Russian forces helped Assad recapture the city in 2016. European venues fired him for refusing to condemn the Ukraine full-scale invasion in 2022.

Now, Gergiev, who has maintained close ties to Vladimir Putin since the early 1990s, is scheduled to perform at the Un’Estate da Re festival at the Royal Palace of Caserta on 27 July, according to reports from The Guardian.

The performance marks his first European appearance since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

He was dismissed from several European concerts, festivals and theaters, including Milan’s La Scala, for refusing to condemn Putin’s actions. His last Italian performance was at La Scala on 23 February 2022, hours before the invasion began.

Italy, however, just broke a continent-wide boycott of pro-Kremlin artists.

Sanctioned Russian conductor Gergiev returns to Europe’s stage despite support of aggression against Ukraine.

How did this happen? Vincenzo De Luca, president of Italy’s Campania region, invited Gergiev personally. De Luca argues culture “must not be influenced by politics and political logic.”

Opposition to the concert has been led by Yulia Navalnaya, widow of deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in Russian prison. 

“How is it possible that in the summer of 2025, three years after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, Valery Gergiev, Putin’s accomplice and a person included on the sanctions lists of several countries, was suddenly invited to Italy?” Yulia Navalnaya wrote in La Repubblica on 15 July.

The venue matters too. Gergiev will perform at the Royal Palace of Caserta—a UNESCO World Heritage site and former Bourbon palace. The festival bills his appearance as a summer season highlight.

Ruslan Shaveddinov, longtime Navalny aide, told The Guardian the performance “would serve to normalise Putin’s regime in the eyes of the civilised world.”

He argued that providing a platform for Kremlin figures at prestigious European festivals constitutes “a huge gift to Moscow.”

What’s Italy’s defense? Cultural Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano insists “art must remain free” while simultaneously warning the concert risks “sending the wrong message” amid current tensions.

The concert remains scheduled despite the controversy, with Italian authorities yet to announce any changes to the festival program.

alery_gergiev_putin
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Ukraine Rome Conference delivers concrete military support to Kyiv: Thousands of British air defense missiles, defense production in US, and interceptor drones

11 juillet 2025 à 15:38

Ukraine’s allies prepare real countermeasures against Russian terror at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. On 10–11 July in Italy, the Ukraine Recovery Conference brought together a broad and high-level international delegation of over 6,000 to 8,000 participants from around 70 countries and 100 government delegations.

The conference took place amid an escalation of Russian attacks on Ukraine. Recently, Moscow launched over 700 drones in a single night, targeting Ukrainian cities. Therefore, the focus of the conference extended beyond reconstruction and included defense, said Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pavlo Palisa.

Key outcomes of bilateral meetings in Rome:

  • Patriot Systems. Palisa says a dialogue with the US regarding the purchase and transfer of ten air defense systems to Ukraine is ongoing, including at the presidential level. Germany is already prepared to fund two systems, and Norway another one. Once the manufacturer gives formal confirmation, other European partners are expected to join as well.
  • Joint defense production. Ukraine discussed cooperation and investment in scaling up domestic drone production with the prime ministers of Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands, as well as with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
  • Interceptor drones. According to Palisa, this topic came up in nearly every meeting as “everyone understands the importance of technological solutions in modern warfare.” Ukraine is working to attract large investments to boost the production scale.
  • The UK–Ukraine agreement. At the conference, Britain and Ukraine signed a 19-year agreement that unlocks financing for over 5,000 Thales missiles for air defense systems.
  • Increased payments for Ukrainian soldiers. Palisa says EU leaders are responding positively to this matter. Ukraine will seek solutions together. 

Not all decisions and agreements were announced publicly. Some remained classified due to the risk that Russia could exploit this information.

Also, during the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the “Coalition of the Willing” met. Around 30 key countries and partners participated, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who joined remotely via video.

For the first time, US representatives took part: Special Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg, and Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal. They are co-authors of the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (S.1241), which aims to increase sanctions pressure on Russia.

Kyiv to set up gunpowder production in US after Rome recovery conference

The main idea of the bill is to impose 500% tariffs on imports into the US from countries that continue to purchase Russian energy resources, such as oil, gas, uranium, and other raw materials. The goal is to economically isolate Russia and force countries around the world to stop supporting its war machine.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Kyiv to set up gunpowder production in US after Rome recovery conference
    Kyiv will manufacture gunpowder on US soil. On 11 July, Ukraine signed a relevant deal with its American counterparts during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Oleksandr Kamyshin, presidential advisor, has announced, UkrInform reports. On 10-11 July, Italy hosted the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference. The event was dedicated to the country’s recovery and long-term reconstruction. Rome gathered international organisations, businesses, and civil society representatives for Ukraine’s future.
     

Kyiv to set up gunpowder production in US after Rome recovery conference

11 juillet 2025 à 14:44

Kyiv will manufacture gunpowder on US soil. On 11 July, Ukraine signed a relevant deal with its American counterparts during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Oleksandr Kamyshin, presidential advisor, has announced, UkrInform reports.

On 10-11 July, Italy hosted the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference. The event was dedicated to the country’s recovery and long-term reconstruction. Rome gathered international organisations, businesses, and civil society representatives for Ukraine’s future.

Kamyshyn has explained that the company involved in the production has already been engaged in projects with Ukraine. He says such cooperation seemed “an unattainable goal just two years ago.”

“Now we’re entering a systematic, proper, and ongoing format of joint work,” he adds.

Kamyshin has also revealed more than five defense-related deals, some classified as public and others classified. Intergovernmental agreements, a memorandum between Ukraine’s Council of Arms Manufacturers and the Italian Association of Arms Manufacturers, and company-to-company deals are among them.

One of the agreements was signed by US General Keith Kellogg, a special envoy of US President Donald Trump.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

A Beloved Bloodhound, a Fatal Treat: A Gruesome Murder Mystery in Italy

10 juillet 2025 à 11:45
The killing of Bruno, a decorated sniffer dog who ingested sausages stuffed with nails, has set off an outpouring of grief in Italy.

© Claudia Aloisio, via Associated Press

Dog trainer Arcangelo Caressa with his bloodhound Bruno in Taranto, Italy, in January.
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Europe just ran its first war game with drones and robots—Ukraine helped design it
    Ukraine’s use of drones and robots in live combat is directly shaping European military technology, as the European Defence Agency (EDA) launches its first joint trials of unmanned systems. The exercise, held at the Montelibretti base near Rome, marks the launch of the Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign — aimed at accelerating Europe’s battlefield readiness with robotic and aerial platforms. “Ukrainian experts have helped us design scenarios for the use of the
     

Europe just ran its first war game with drones and robots—Ukraine helped design it

6 juillet 2025 à 13:12

Europe just ran its first war game with drones and robots—Ukraine helped design it

Ukraine’s use of drones and robots in live combat is directly shaping European military technology, as the European Defence Agency (EDA) launches its first joint trials of unmanned systems.

The exercise, held at the Montelibretti base near Rome, marks the launch of the Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign — aimed at accelerating Europe’s battlefield readiness with robotic and aerial platforms.

“Ukrainian experts have helped us design scenarios for the use of the technology, and the EDA will create a blueprint to show armies how they can quickly integrate it,” André Denk, EDA’s chief executive, told Defense News.

First European Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation (OPEX) training near Rome, Italy, July 2025. Photo: EDA via X

Europe seeks to close the “valley of death” in military tech

The EDA’s goal is to address the long-standing gap between innovation and deployment — what officials call the “valley of death” where promising military technologies often stall before reaching the field.

“The war in Ukraine reshaped our understanding of defense innovation, compressing years of development into weeks,” said André Denk. “Accelerating innovation from the lab to the field is our ticket to operational relevance.”


Drones and robots simulate front-line logistics

The exercise brought together unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — better known as drones — and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), which are robotic land-based systems designed to operate without a human on board.

Over the three-week trial, UAVs were used to deliver supplies, which were then transferred to UGVs for the final stretch to simulated front-line positions — a logistics method already employed by Ukrainian forces in active combat.

The companies involved included:

  • UAVs: Beyond Vision (Portugal), Altus LSA (Greece), Schiebel (Austria)
  • UGVs: Alysis (Spain), Piap (Poland), Arx Robotics (Germany)

The robotic vehicles were put through their paces in rough terrain, including water-filled ditches, to evaluate how well they could perform under battlefield-like conditions.

European UAV (drone). Photo: EDA via X

NATO observers watch real-world scenarios

Military officials from Italy, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, and Greece attended the trials, which ended on 3 July.

“We are missing a link between research and development and end users,” said an EDA official. “This exercise was a chance for militaries to see the technology in action and understand the possibilities for tactics and doctrine.”


What’s next: Nettuno trials and wider EU integration

Testing will continue at the Italian army’s Nettuno facility, where upcoming operational trials will explore how UAV and UGV systems can be integrated into standard military procedures across EU member states.

“We are now showing armies systems they don’t know about and increasing discussions and lessons for the first time,” the EDA official said.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇The Kyiv Independent
  • US did not halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, Meloni says
    The U.S. has "reviewed" the components it is supplying Ukraine, but did not halt assistance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on July 4."The United States has not stopped supplying weapons and supporting Ukraine, it has reviewed the decision to supply specific components... (this is) significant but very different from the total American disengagement that has been reported," Meloni said, speaking at a forum.U.S. President Donald Trump on July 3 denied that Washington has paused supply
     

US did not halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, Meloni says

4 juillet 2025 à 17:44
US did not halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, Meloni says

The U.S. has "reviewed" the components it is supplying Ukraine, but did not halt assistance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on July 4.

"The United States has not stopped supplying weapons and supporting Ukraine, it has reviewed the decision to supply specific components... (this is) significant but very different from the total American disengagement that has been reported," Meloni said, speaking at a forum.

U.S. President Donald Trump on July 3 denied that Washington has paused supplying weapons to Kyiv amid media reports of a halt in shipments.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed on July 2 that some military assistance to Ukraine has been halted as the U.S. Defense Department conducts a review of foreign aid deliveries.

"I hope for positive developments on the issue," Meloni said, adding that she has spoken to Trump regarding Ukraine.

The weapons reportedly held back include two dozen Patriot air defense missiles, over two dozen Stinger air-defense systems, precision artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, drones, and more than 90 AIM air-to-air missiles launched from F-16 fighter jets.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on July 2 that he understands the White House's need to safeguard its own defense capabilities, but underscored that Ukraine urgently requires sustained support.

"I totally understand that the U.S. always has to make sure its interests are covered... When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get," Rutte said.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers voiced their opposition to the decision to halt military aid shipments to Ukraine on July 2.

"We must build up our own Defense Industrial Base here in the U.S. while simultaneously providing the needed assistance to our allies who are defending their freedom from brutal invading dictators. To not do both is unacceptable," Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, described the military aid pause as "fallacious and maybe even disingenuous."

Ukraine war latest: Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 1 dead, 26 injured
Key developments on July 4: * ‘Nothing but terror and murder’ — Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 1 dead, 26 injured * Zelensky, Trump discuss air defense, joint drone production amid Russian strikes * ‘There is also good news’ — Ukrainian drones hit key military optics plant in Russia, General Staff
US did not halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, Meloni saysThe Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
US did not halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, Meloni says

Heat in Eastern Europe Fuels Fire, Fish Deaths and Tensions Over Protests

4 juillet 2025 à 08:25
Exceptionally high temperatures strained electricity systems as people sought air-conditioning, although many did not have that option.

© Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press

A water mist machine, installed to help people cool off on hot days, in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday.

Gas Station Explosion Rattles Rome, Injuring Several

4 juillet 2025 à 10:13
Dozens of people were injured, including 10 police officers and a firefighter, officials said. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear.

© Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse, via Associated Press

A fuel tank exploded in an eastern neighborhood of Rome. Firefighters and police officers had already been called to the gas station after an earlier incident involving a truck.

What to Know About the Heat Wave in Europe

3 juillet 2025 à 08:09
Some parts of Western Europe were starting to cool off as the extreme heat that has gripped the continent moved east.

© Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

Fans were used to keep people cool at a restaurant near the Piazza di Spagna in Rome on Monday.

Europe’s Heat Wave Is Dangerous and Still Getting Worse

1 juillet 2025 à 09:23
A punishing heat wave broke records in southern Europe and hasn’t peaked yet in some places, prompting warnings to residents, employers and tourists to alter their habits.

© Cristina Quicler/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

What to Know About the Heat Wave in Europe

2 juillet 2025 à 10:24
Weather agencies have warned of a third day of high temperatures that in some places have climbed well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or more than 40 degrees Celsius.

© Yves Herman/Reuters

Cooling off in Brussels on Wednesday. In Belgium, the authorities have issued heat warnings at the highest level.

How Europe Got Tough on Migration

29 juin 2025 à 00:01
The European Union has not gone as far as President Trump in cracking down on immigration, but its shift is already profound.

© Wojtek Radwanski/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

An anti-immigration protest in May in Warsaw. A harder line on migration is being embraced across the political spectrum in much of the European Union.
  • ✇The Kyiv Independent
  • Italy commits $1.6 million to boost Ukraine’s battle against landmines
    Italy has pledged 1.5 million euros (approximately $1.6 million) to support humanitarian demining efforts in Ukraine, deepening its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ukrainian government. The agreement was formalized during a high-level ceremony in Kyiv on June 23 attended by Italian Ambassador Carlo Formosa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and new UNDP Administrator Haoliang Xu, Jaco Cilliers, Resident Representative of the UNDP in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s Fi
     

Italy commits $1.6 million to boost Ukraine’s battle against landmines

24 juin 2025 à 20:22
Italy commits $1.6 million to boost Ukraine’s battle against landmines

Italy has pledged 1.5 million euros (approximately $1.6 million) to support humanitarian demining efforts in Ukraine, deepening its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ukrainian government.

The agreement was formalized during a high-level ceremony in Kyiv on June 23 attended by Italian Ambassador Carlo Formosa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and new UNDP Administrator Haoliang Xu, Jaco Cilliers, Resident Representative of the UNDP in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.

"Demining is not just a technical operation; it is a deeply humanitarian act that combines cooperation and innovation to restore hope in Ukraine," Ambassador Formosa said. "This project is not only a response to the emergency — it’s a step toward recovery. It’s about returning land to farmers, playgrounds to children, and safe roads to families."

The funding will support UNDP’s mine action program, which focuses on clearing land contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war, ensuring the safe return of land to Ukrainian communities.

The initiative comes as Ukraine continues to grapple with one of the world’s largest demining challenges. According to the State Emergency Service, the total area of potentially mined land has been reduced by over 20% since late 2022. However, approximately 137,000 square kilometers (52,900 square miles) — much of it farmland — remain contaminated. Demining operations are carried out by the emergency service personnel, National Police, Ministry of Defense, and non-governmental organizations.

Currently, 112 certified demining operators, including eight international groups, are active in Ukraine, the State Emergency Service reported on June 24. Their combined capacity includes more than 9,000 personnel, 278 specialized vehicles, and over 13,000 metal detectors.

While significant progress has been made, Ukrainian officials stress that continued international support and funding are critical to accelerating clearance efforts.

Investigation: How Russia prepares its strategic missile plant for ‘eternal war’
Key findings: * Despite international sanctions, Russia’s strategic missile plant was able to import complex machinery to dramatically increase missile production. * The Kyiv Independent has identified the equipment supplied to the plant, as well as the supply chains, mostly from China. * We located the plant’s new premises, built to house the
Italy commits $1.6 million to boost Ukraine’s battle against landminesThe Kyiv IndependentAlisa Yurchenko
Italy commits $1.6 million to boost Ukraine’s battle against landmines

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