On January 26, the Ukrainian community in Italy held a protest in Milan against the concert of Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky, who is known for his support of the Putin regime and the war against Ukraine, reported Oleksiy Horodetsky, the head of the Christian Society of Ukrainians in Italy.

Lugansky's performance was scheduled to take place at one of the world's leading opera houses – La Scala. The protest was organized by the Ukrainian community in Italy together with the organization "Ponte Atlantico".

"This was the most significant action we have ever organized in front of La Scala. Seeing the puzzled faces of Russians was priceless," the organizers stated.

Protesters emphasized that they were not against music or art in general, but against the Russian propaganda supported by Lugansky.

"Lugansky participates in concerts for Russian troops and performs in support of aggression against Ukraine," the organizers noted.

During the protest, activists displayed a banner with the names and faces of Ukrainian musicians and dancers who have been killed by Russians during the war.

Activists declared that the struggle for Ukraine's freedom is part of the struggle for the freedom of the entire world, urging for international support for Ukraine and its heroes.

Lugansky is a Russian pianist, soloist of the Moscow Philharmonic, and a People's Artist of Russia. Among other things, he has toured in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, including performances in Donetsk Philharmonic since 2016.

It should be noted that in January, Ukrainians in Italy protested against the tours of Russian artists in Rome.