Russian diplomats unexpectedly expelled from Italy: what happened
The Italian authorities are expelling two Russian military attaches over suspicion of espionage. The Russian diplomats must leave the country in three days.
This was announced by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Reuters reports. https://www.reuters.com/world/italy-expels-two-russian-embassy-staff-over-spying-case-2026-07-09/
The decision to expel them was made after two people were arrested earlier this week on charges of passing secret information to a Russian agent. According to the Italian prosecutor’s office, the main suspect in the case is a former officer of the Carabinieri (Italian police). In addition to those arrested, five more people are under investigation.
The head of the Italian Foreign Ministry stressed that Moscow continues to use “hybrid tools” against his country and the West in general.
“Serious and unacceptable interference,” Antonio Tajani called the incident.
He added that such actions threaten Italy’s national security. In response to Rome’s decision, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it would respond to this move by the Italian side.