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Italy Expels Two Russian Attachés After Spy Arrests

7/11/2026

Summary

Italy Expels Attachés

Italy expelled two Russian military attachés, Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Stakhov, ordering them to leave within three days.
The expulsions followed the July 7 arrest of two former Italian intelligence officers accused of collaborating with Moscow.
Prosecutors say a Russian operative bought SAMP/T data for Ukraine and sought ASTER missile and NATO mission details in Bulgaria, prompting Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to warn the arrests are tip of conflict in Europe.

Summary

Russia Threatens Expulsions

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned it would expel Italian diplomats in retaliation.
Roberto Vannacci of Futuro Nazionale attacked Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s pro-NATO line and urged a softer stance toward Putin.
Giuseppe Conte of the Five Star Movement said the government exaggerated the Russian threat to raise defense spending.
European nations have expelled over 400 Russian intelligence officers under diplomatic cover since the 2022 invasion.

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Italy Expels Attachés

Italy expelled two Russian military attachés, Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Stakhov, ordering them to leave within three days.
The expulsions followed the July 7 arrest of two former Italian intelligence officers accused of collaborating with Moscow.
Prosecutors say a Russian operative bought SAMP/T data for Ukraine and sought ASTER missile and NATO mission details in Bulgaria, prompting Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to warn the arrests are tip of conflict in Europe.

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