Italy busted a Russian spy ring gathering data on Ukrainian air defense systems, involving a GRU officer and former Italian intelligence officials.

Italian authorities dismantled a Russian espionage ring in Rome aimed at collecting data on Ukrainian air defense vulnerabilities. An alleged Russian GRU officer, Mikhail Astakov, stationed as a military attaché at the Russian embassy in Rome, was filmed and wiretapped requesting information on Western air defense systems sent to Ukraine, including Europe's Samp-T and Italy's Michelangelo Dome systems. Astakov recruited former Italian intelligence officers such as Gavino Piras, who allegedly used cash payments to recruit informants within the Italian military. Five informants are under investigation. The espionage attempts also targeted information about missile systems, Italy’s and NATO’s defense plans, and specific technologies including a Leonardo sub-sea drone and the workings of the Russian T90 tank. The Italian government expelled two Russian military attaches as a result, condemning the interference as hybrid warfare against Italy and the West.