Italy arrested two former intelligence officers, including a 59-year-old ex-Carabinieri officer, for passing classified information to a Russian agent, authorities said on July 7, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The main suspect allegedly obtained secret material from six sources, including four active-duty Italian military personnel, and used covert methods like hiding phones in microwaves and digital cards in wall cracks to transfer the information [1, 4, 5]. Investigators also found 20,000 euros in cash on the suspect [4, 5].

A total of five other individuals, four of whom are current military personnel, are under investigation for related espionage charges [1, 4, 3]. The espionage campaign targeted information on military aid to Ukraine, NATO missions, drone factories, and Italian weapons systems such as SAMP/T and Aster missiles [2, 6].

The investigation began in May 2025 after Italian intelligence agency AISI uncovered suspicious activities [1, 4, 3, 6]. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto described the case as part of Russia's "hybrid war" against Italy and Europe since 2022, calling it "the tip of a gigantic iceberg, comprising external enemies and internal traitors prepared to sell out their nation for money, power or personal gain" [1, 2].

In a related diplomatic response, Italy expelled two Russian military attaches, Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov, ordering them to leave within three days as of July 9, 2026 [7, 4, 2, 6, 5]. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the expulsions, saying: "Moscow continues to use hybrid warfare to attack the West and Italy — acts of interference that are serious and unacceptable to Italian institutions and national security" [7, 2, 6, 5].

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it would respond appropriately to Italy’s actions [7, 2, 6, 5]. This case follows earlier espionage arrests in Italy, including the 2021-2024 conviction of a navy captain spying for Russia [1, 2].

The next developments will likely center on how Italy pursues the ongoing investigation into other suspects and any diplomatic responses from Russia.