Italy Ousts Two Russian Military Attachés for Espionage, Gives 72-Hour Deadline

Italy has expelled two Russian military attachés from its embassy in Rome, holding them responsible for spying activities uncovered in an investigation by the local prosecutor's office, according to askanews and liberoreporter. The expulsion marks a rare diplomatic confrontation between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the measure on social media and directly notified the Russian ambassador. The two officials, identified as Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov, must leave Italian territory within three days, as Adnkronos reported. "Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev e Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov devono lasciare Roma entro 3 giorni." :: Adnkronos Tajani's post left no ambiguity about the swift timetable, emphasizing that the decision followed a formal communication by the secretary general of the Farnesina, Italy's foreign ministry, to Russia's ambassador in Rome, as noted by askanews.

AdnkronosSpionaggio, Italia espelle i due addetti militari dell’ambasciata russa

Moscow has already signaled it will retaliate. The Russian foreign ministry declared that it will give an "adequate response" to the expulsion, according to Adnkronos and askanews. Liberoreporter further confirmed that Moscow announced a response is forthcoming. "Daremo una risposta adeguata." :: Adnkronos That phrase, attributed to Russian officials, suggests that further diplomatic friction between the two capitals is likely, though no specific retaliatory measures have been detailed yet.