After Italy expelled two Russian military attachés, accused of espionage, Russia sends home an Italian military attaché and one of his advisors.
“This is a blatant act of retaliation, following the expulsion from Italy of two Russian military attachés, caught red-handed engaging in espionage activities detrimental to our national security,” conveyed the head of Italian diplomacy, Antonio Tajani.
On July 9, Italy announced the expulsion of two Russian spies, who allegedly operated in the country under diplomatic cover, writes news.ro. The authorities in Rome described their actions as a “serious and unacceptable interference”.
According to the Italian dailies La Repubblica and Il Messaggero, at least one of the two Russian agents collected, in exchange for sums of money, information about the Franco-Italian anti-aircraft defense system SAMP/T, which Ukraine is set to receive this year for testing.
The Russian spy was also interested in the NATO mission in Bulgaria, as well as the Italian company Avio, which produces engines for drones and supersonic missiles.