Moscow expressed outrage to the mayor of Milan over an exhibition dedicated to Azov

The Russian Consul General in Milan, Dmitry Shtodin, sent an open letter to the city’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, expressing his disappointment and outrage at the photo exhibition, which is dedicated to the Ukrainian nationalist unit “Azov” (a terrorist organization banned in Russia – “MK”).

The letter was published by the diplomatic mission on social networks. In it, Shtodin stated that he was saddened to learn that the Milan City Hall supported this exhibition, which is taking place on one of the central streets of the city. He expressed his deepest indignation at the mayor’s office’s decision to provide space for the Ukrainian military unit “Azov”, which is known for its massacres committed not only in Mariupol, but throughout the Donbass.

The diplomat noted that Milan thereby provides “a stage for the performances of the darkest forces of Nazi-fascist origin,” which does not contribute to achieving peace in Ukraine.

Representatives of the Russian Embassy in Rome previously expressed their bewilderment at the publications of the Italian media regarding the return of Azov militants to hostilities and the glorification of their activities. They also noted the use of provocative photographs in news illustrations. In particular, the Ansa news agency used a photograph in which Azov militants posed under flags with the symbols of SS divisions.