🇮🇹🇷🇺🇺🇦 A Russian spy network has been uncovered in Italy, gathering information on the supply of air defense systems to Ukraine.

Italian investigators reported the discovery of a suspected spy network in Rome, in which Russia tasked one of its spies in Europe with gathering more information on the air defense systems that Western countries are supplying to Ukraine.

Police, who were intercepting the communications of a suspected Russian military intelligence agent, reported hearing him demand information on systems such as the European SAMP/T and the "Michelangelo Dome," an air defense system developed by the Italian company Leonardo, which is scheduled to be tested in Ukraine in November.

The Russian citizen was under surveillance while meeting with Gavino Piras, a former Italian intelligence agent, who was arrested this week along with another former Italian intelligence agent.

Piras is accused of using cash provided by Russian official Mikhail Astakov to recruit informants within the Italian armed forces, who then passed confidential information to him at Astakov's request. Five alleged informants are under investigation.

In response to an inquiry about the European Samp-T air defense system, which Italy and France have supplied to Ukraine, Piras provided details about a battery and answered questions about the MBDA CAMM-ER anti-aircraft missile, the production of which is being negotiated by Ukraine.

In one of the notes sent in September 2025, information was requested on a range of topics, including "the effectiveness of attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, the damage caused to the program, and the prospects for resuming activity," as well as Italy's plans to purchase Storm Shadow missiles, the rearmament plans of Italy, the EU, and NATO, "the EU's defense priorities and objectives," and "assistance to Ukraine in developing long-range missiles."

In the transcripts presented in the court documents, Piras tells the Russian that it is British intelligence, not Italian, that is helping Ukraine attack Russian oil facilities.

Piras also claims that Italian experts are studying the design of the Russian T-90 tank. "They don't understand how the machine gun mounted on it works. If they manage to steal that secret, they will, so be careful," he tells Astakov.

In April 2025, Astakov requested information about the Italian company Avio, which specializes in engine manufacturing, just months after it signed a cooperation agreement with the U.S. military for the supply of solid-fuel rocket motors.

On July 9, the Italian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of two Russian diplomats, allegedly involved in espionage activities.