Former Italian Spy Arrested for Selling Ukraine’s Air Defense Secrets to Russia.

Gavino Piras Taken into Custody in Italy

According to Espreso.tv: On July 7, Italian authorities arrested Gavino Piras, a former officer of the domestic intelligence agency AISI, on suspicion of passing classified information to Russia. The leaked data reportedly involved Western-supplied air defense systems sent to Ukraine. Investigators say the probe, launched in 2025, uncovered a ring of five informants—four of whom were active-duty military personnel.

According to the investigation, Piras received requests from a Russian national believed to be linked to the GRU military intelligence agency, who demanded details on systems like the Samp-T and Michelangelo Dome. Piras was paid €4,000 (approximately $4,600) in cash for each batch of documents, highlighting the organized and serious nature of the operation.

Italy’s Government Responds

In a swift reaction on July 9, the Italian government ordered the expulsion of two Russian military attachés: Ivan Gorbachev and Mikhail Astakhov. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani addressed the case, stating:

“Moscow continues to wage hybrid warfare against the West and Italy. This is a serious and unacceptable intrusion into Italian institutions and national security.”

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto described the affair as 'the tip of a giant iceberg made up of external enemies and internal traitors.' The incident underscores the mounting threat to Italy’s national security and the critical need to counter espionage and betrayal in the face of modern challenges.

The arrest of Gavino Piras and the expulsion of the Russian attachés highlight a stepped-up effort by Italian intelligence agencies to combat spying amid rising East-West tensions. This case may prompt tighter security measures not only in Italy but across Europe, as foreign intelligence threats continue to escalate. It also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of international cooperation in tackling today’s security risks.