Italian law-enforcement agencies say they uncovered an alleged Russian intelligence operation in Rome focused on gathering technical and strategic information about Western air-defense systems being provided to Ukraine.

Investigators reported surveillance and wiretaps that captured a suspected Russian GRU officer seeking information from an informant connected to Italy’s former intelligence services. Court documents described the suspected handler as Mikhail Astakov, a military attaché at the Russian embassy in Rome, who allegedly met with former Italian intelligence official Gavino Piras, 59. Piras was later arrested, along with another former Italian intelligence worker.

Prosecutors allege Piras recruited informants inside the Italian military to supply secret information requested by Astakov. They say the handler provided cash for each data package, and that collected material was delivered via microSD cards retrieved from a designated dead drop.

Authorities say the intelligence requests targeted how Europe was helping Ukraine defend against missile and drone attacks. Among the systems mentioned in the alleged information requests were the European SAMP‑T air-defense system (supplied by Italy and France), the MBDA CAMM‑ER missile that Ukraine is discussing assembling domestically, and Leonardo’s Michelangelo Dome air-defense system, described as an open-architecture solution intended to integrate partner air-defense assets.

Beyond air-defense hardware, investigators say the requests also covered broader European and NATO rearmament priorities and support for Ukraine’s long-range missile development, alongside other related technical topics.

After the arrests, Italy expelled two Russian military attachés, with Italian officials characterizing the alleged activity as hybrid warfare and unacceptable interference in national security.