Italy arrests two over alleged spying for Russia

Italy has arrested two individuals, one a former member of its intelligence services, on charges of allegedly passing classified information to a Russian agent. The Rome prosecutor's office announced the arrests on Tuesday, identifying the main suspect as a 59-year-old former Carabinieri officer with intelligence community ties.

The accusations include the transfer of protected information and unauthorized access to IT and telecommunications services. Five other individuals have been placed under investigation as part of a probe initiated in May 2025. The primary suspect is accused of receiving money in exchange for providing information obtained from sources, including four active members of the Italian military, to a Russian operative who reportedly holds diplomatic immunity in Italy.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto commented that the investigation exposed Russia's "true attitude" toward Italy, a nation that has supplied military and civilian aid to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. Crosetto described the situation as part of a "hybrid war" involving "external enemies and internal traitors."

This case echoes a 2021 incident where Italian navy captain Walter Biot was arrested for handing over documents to a Russian embassy employee in Rome. He was later sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison.

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This hybrid war is the tip of a gigantic iceberg, comprising external enemies and internal traitors who are prepared to sell out their nation for money, power or personal gain.