A Victory Day banner proclaiming that after annexing Crimea from Ukraine, Russian forces may march on to Rome has garnered criticism from local authorities.
“Today Crimea, tomorrow Rome. Happy great holiday of May 9,” read the banner put up in the city of Kaluga, some 90 miles southwest of Moscow, local Kp40.ru news portal reported Tuesday.
The banner appeared outside an office and shopping compound in the city, the report said.
Regional Deputy Governor Ruslan Smolensky denounced the banner as the result of excessive zeal by a young designer and a departure from Russia's traditional “values,” the report said.
“If we are to speak about our Western allies, we are now observing a total devaluation of human values that has taken place there,” Smolensky was quoted as saying. “This devaluation is taking place here as well.”
“I am really frightened by the activity of advertising companies,” he said, Kp40 reported. “A young man sits at his computer with a can of beer — a so-called creative artist. He has the task of making something for Victory Day. And he makes something. Then banners like that appear.”
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