Russia expels Italian military attaché, Tajani: Direct retaliation for Russian spy case

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that Moscow has decided to expel the Italian military attaché and one of his aides, further escalating the diplomatic crisis between the two countries. According to him, this action constitutes an “open act of retaliation” by the Russian authorities.

In a post on platform X, Tajani stressed that the two Italian representatives were removed “without any reason” and directly linked the measure to Rome’s previous decision to expel two Russian military attachés suspected of espionage. “The Russian Federation has unjustifiably expelled our military attaché in Moscow and a colleague of his. This is a retaliatory response to Italy’s removal of two Russian military officials, who were caught red-handed engaging in espionage activities against our national security,” the Italian foreign affairs chief stated.

The escalation of the situation originates on July 9, when an investigation by the Rome Prosecutor’s Office brought to light evidence implicating two military attachés from the Russian Embassy in the Italian capital in illegal espionage activities. Following this development, the Italian Foreign Ministry ordered the expulsion of the two Russian diplomats, requiring them to leave Italian territory within 72 hours.

At the time, Tajani called the incident a “serious and unacceptable interference” and framed it within what Rome considers the “hybrid war” strategy that the Kremlin is waging against Western countries. Moscow’s reaction was immediate, warning of reciprocal measures and harshly criticizing the Italian government. In response to these threats, the Italian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Rome to account for the rising tensions.

The expulsion of the Italian diplomats from Moscow represents the latest episode in a series of clashes that have strained relations between Russia and European Union countries, in a context marked by ongoing tensions over security issues and mutual accusations of espionage.