Rome: Italy has ordered the expulsion of two Russian embassy staff over alleged espionage activities, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday. 'Italy's government has decided to expel two military attaches serving at the Russian Federation's embassy in Italy who are responsible for the espionage activities uncovered by the investigation,' Tajani stated in a post on the US social media platform X. The expulsion decision was delivered directly to Russia's ambassador in Rome, with the two officials given three days to leave the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, the move follows a counterintelligence investigation launched in May 2025 by the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office. Earlier, two former Italian intelligence officials were arrested for allegedly passing secret and sensitive information to Russian officers in exchange for money. Italian newspaper La Stampa reported that the suspects are believed to have provided details on rearmament plans in Italy, the European Union, and NATO; locations of drone-production facilities; and information on military aid to Ukraine.

In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry told state news agency Tass that Moscow "will give an appropriate response." This development adds another layer of tension to the already complex diplomatic relations between Italy and Russia.