Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on the social network “X” that this is “an obvious retaliation for Italy expelling two Russian defense attachés,” who, according to him, were caught spying against Rome.
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Italy earlier this month announced the decision to expel two Russian citizens accused of espionage, who had diplomatic status.
“The Italian government has decided to expel two defense attachés of the Russian Federation Embassy in Italy, related to espionage activities revealed by the Rome prosecutor’s office,” Tajani wrote on the social network “X” at the time.
The minister named the Russians as Ivan Gorbachev and Mikhail Astakhov and ordered them to leave within three days.
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“Moscow continues to use hybrid warfare to attack the West and Italy – these are acts of interference that are serious and unacceptable to Italian institutions and national security,” Tajani commented.
The two Russian defense attachés were expelled two days after the police reported the arrest of two former Italian intelligence agents. Media reports state that they passed secrets about military aid to Ukraine to Russia.
