Italy expels two Russian diplomats accused of spying: Minister

Italy expels two Russian military attaches over alleged espionage as Rome accuses Moscow of interference and threats to national security

ROME: Italy on Thursday ordered the expulsion of two accused Russian spies with diplomatic status with its foreign minister condemning “serious and unacceptable acts of interference” by Moscow.

The expulsion of the two military attaches came two days after police announced the arrest of two former Italian intelligence agents who media reports said gave Russia secrets on military aid to Ukraine.

“The Italian government has decided to expel two military attaches from the embassy of the Russian Federation in Italy, involved in espionage activities uncovered by the Rome public prosecutor’s office,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X.

The minister named the Russians as Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov and said they had been ordered to leave within three days.

“Moscow continues to use hybrid warfare to attack the West and Italy — acts of interference that are serious and unacceptable to Italian institutions and national security,” Tajani commented.

Italian police said on Tuesday that one of the detained Italians, a 59-year-old former agent, had been paid by a Russian agent and “disclosed to him the information of interest through six sources — including four serving military personnel assigned to posts marked by a high level of confidentiality.”

Media reports said the Italians had handed over information on an Italian-French air defence system and missiles that were to be provided to Ukraine.

Russian handlers had also sought details on a NATO mission in Bulgaria and the Italian company Avio that makes motors for drones and supersonic missiles.

Corriere del Sera newspaper said the 59-year-old also provided the identities of Italian counter-espionage agents who were meant to monitor the Russians.