Italy expels two Russian military attachés over espionage

Italy has ordered the expulsion of two Russian military attachés accused of espionage, a move that follows the arrest of two former Italian intelligence officers on suspicion of passing state secrets to Moscow. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the expulsions on Thursday, July 9, 2026, naming the diplomats as Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov and giving them three days to leave the country.

Tajani condemned what he called serious and unacceptable interference by Moscow, stating that Russia continues to use hybrid warfare to attack the West and Italy. The expulsions came two days after police announced the arrests of the two former intelligence officers, identified as Gavino Raoul Piras and Vincenzo Di Pasquale, both aged 59. Prosecutors allege that Astakhov acted as the main handler for Piras, a retired senior Carabinieri officer, discussing Moscow's information requests and payment details.

According to authorities, Piras disclosed classified information obtained from a network of six sources, including four active-duty military personnel assigned to highly confidential roles. Media reports indicate the information passed to Russia included...