Reuters news agency reported that the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense criticized the condemnation of a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defense in an article for the Italian newspaper "La Stampa" who questioned Russian aid to Italy to combat the Corona virus.

Reuters said Russia had sent doctors, nurses and medical equipment to Italy in a goodwill gesture, which Moscow described as "from Russia with love."

Despite the Italian government warmly thanking Russia for this aid, La Stampa newspaper - one of the oldest Italian newspapers - published an article attributed to political sources that were not disclosed by saying that 80% of Russian equipment has little or no use.

She indicated to Stampa that Russian aid and the accompanying activity may lead to a security breach due to the large number of military personnel involved in this matter.

A sharp Russian criticism of Stamia
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov denounced the article on Facebook on Thursday, accusing La Stampa of defaming "a noble mission", stirring anti-Russian sentiments and spreading false news, adding that the newspaper should learn the Roman proverb "from digging a hole falling into it."

The Italian foreign and defense ministries in a joint statement yesterday described the Russian criticism of La Stampa newspaper as "inappropriate". "While we are grateful for this concrete support, at the same time we cannot deny the inappropriate tone of Konashenkov," they said.

They added in the statement that "freedom of expression and the right to criticism are fundamental values ​​for our country, as well as the right of reply."

The statement pointed out that the Russians sent 32 health workers to Bergamo, the most affected Italian city, where thousands died in Corona, adding that the Russian planes also transported, among other things, 150 breathing apparatus, 330,000 masks, 1,000 protective suits, an analysis laboratory and three sanitation units.

Italian journalists condemned the Russian spokesman's comment widely, as an indirect threat to the life of the Italian journalist who wrote the article and an assault on press freedom.

There was no response from the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow to the statement of the Italian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense.