Italy Expels Two Russian Military Attachés on Suspicion of Espionage
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to expel two military attachés from the Russian Embassy in Rome. According to Italian officials, the diplomats are believed to be involved in espionage activities on behalf of Moscow.
Antonio Tajani, Secretary General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed the Russian ambassador in Rome that attachés Ivan Gorbachev and Mikhail Astakhov must leave Italy within three days.
The government decided to expel two military attachés from the Russian Federation’s embassy who were responsible for espionage activities uncovered during an investigation by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Moscow continues to use its hybrid methods to attack the West and Italy. This is a serious and unacceptable interference in the activities of Italian institutions and in the sphere of national security,” Tajani stated.
As a reminder, a former intelligence officer was detained in Italy on suspicion of spying for Russia.
Following the arrest of former Italian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini di Sant’Agnese, Italian visa centers in Russia introduced stricter rules for submitting applications for Schengen visas.
Italy has rejected Donald Trump’s accusations of allegedly insufficient participation in joint U.S. security missions, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials in Rome emphasize that, on the contrary, the country has offered assistance, and cooperation with Washington remains functional and mutual.
