Italy has ordered the expulsion of two military attaches from the Russian Federation's embassy in Rome, citing their direct involvement in an espionage network uncovered by a recent investigation. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the decision on July 9, 2026, via X, condemning the operation as a serious and unacceptable act of interference against Italian institutions and national security.
Details of the Expulsion
The two diplomats, Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov, have been given three days to leave the country, according to Tajani. He stated that the Secretary General of the Farnesina had informed the Russian Ambassador in Rome of the expulsion order. Tajani emphasized that Moscow continues to use hybrid weapons to attack the West and Italy, calling the interference unacceptable.
In response, Russia's ambassador to Italy, Sergei Paramonov, said the Italian foreign ministry wants to limit Russia's influence in Italy by expelling diplomats, as reported by Euronews. Moscow subsequently expelled an Italian diplomat in retaliation, and the Russian foreign ministry announced on July 10 that it would react with an appropriate response, according to RIA Novosti.
Background of the Espionage Investigation
The expulsions follow a high-profile counter-espionage investigation by the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office, which led to the arrest of two former Italian intelligence officials earlier that week. On July 7, citing Rome police, Euronews reported that one of the detained Italians, a 59-year-old former intelligence officer, had been paid by a Russian handler and disclosed information of interest through six sources, including four serving military personnel assigned to posts with high confidentiality.
Reports indicate the stolen data included classified details on Italian-French air defense systems (SAMP/T) intended for Ukraine, information regarding NATO missions in Bulgaria, and proprietary industrial data from aerospace firm Avio, which makes motors for drones and supersonic missiles.
Impact and Reactions
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the case was just the tip of the iceberg in Russia's hybrid war in Europe as it pursues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Euronews. The expulsion of Russian diplomats underscores Italy's firm stance against foreign subversion, with Tajani reiterating that Moscow's actions constitute serious interference for Italian institutions and national security.
