Italy expels two Russian military officials from the embassy in Rome, Tajani: They were found responsible for espionage activities

Italy has decided to expel two Russian military employees accredited to the Russian Embassy in Italy, following suspicions of their involvement in espionage activities.

The announcement was made public by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who said in a social media post that during the investigation by the Rome Prosecutor’s Office, the two individuals were identified as “responsible for espionage activities.”

According to Tajani, the secretary-general of the Italian Foreign Ministry informed the Russian ambassador in Rome that Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov must leave Italian territory within three days.

“Moscow continues to use its hybrid weapons to attack the West and Italy. A serious and unacceptable interference in Italian institutions and national security,” Tajani said.

Immediately after the decision by the Italian authorities, Moscow also reacted. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it would respond to the measure taken by Italy, without clarifying, however, what form that response would take.

The removal of the two officials comes at a time when relations between Russia and Western countries have been marked by heightened tensions, while issues related to security and claims of foreign interference have taken center stage.