Russia declares two Italian diplomats persona non grata in reciprocal action after Italy ousts embassy staff

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Italian interim Charge d'Affaires Giovanni Scopa amid the diplomatic expulsions.

FILE PHOTO: Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani attends a joint press conference on the day of a meeting to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and security in Europe at Villa Madama in Rome Italy June 12 2025.

(photo credit: REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo)

ByREUTERS

JULY 21 2026 08:03

Updated: JULY 21 2026 08:04

Russia announced on Monday that it had declared two Italian diplomats persona non grata describing the move as a reciprocal response to Italy's expulsion of two Russian embassy staff members.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated on July 9 that Rome had removed two military attachés from the Russian embassy in Italy who were suspected of espionage activities.

The Russian foreign ministry stated that Vittorio Parrella assistant defense attaché at the Italian embassy and Davide D’Aprile an attaché had been declared persona non grata and must depart Russia with their families within three days.

The ministry further noted that it had summoned Italian interim Charge d'Affaires Giovanni Scopa regarding the expulsion of Russian embassy staff.

"The Russian Federation has expelled without reason the Italian military attaché in Moscow along with one of his collaborators. This is an act of blatant retaliation for the expulsion from Italy of two Russian military attachés who were indeed caught red-handed while carrying out espionage activities to the detriment of our national security" Tajani wrote on X on Monday.

Italy removes two Russian embassy staff over spying case

Two weeks ago the Italian government decided to expel two military attachés at the Russian Embassy in Italy who were allegedly involved in espionage activities after two people were arrested on charges of passing classified information to a Russian agent.

Prosecutors said the main suspect was a former officer of Italy's Carabinieri police force. Five other individuals are also under investigation.

Tajani said on X that the two Russian officials must leave Rome within three days.

He said Moscow continued to employ "hybrid tools" against Italy and the West describing this as "serious and unacceptable interference" that threatens national security.