Italian authorities have dismantled an alleged Russian spy ring in Rome, uncovering a plot to gather intelligence on Western air defense systems being sent to Ukraine. The ring, led by a Russian military intelligence officer, sought information on systems like Europe's Samp-T and Italy's Michelangelo Dome.
The Russian officer, Mikhail Astakov, paid informants in the Italian military €4,000 for each package of information, which was collected using microSD cards left in a hole in a wall. The requests show a determination to understand how Europe is helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian attacks.
The Italian government has expelled two Russian military attaches, including Astakov, in response to the discovery. Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani condemned the incident as 'serious and unacceptable interference' in Italian institutions and national security.
