The Rome prosecutor’s office said the principal suspect is a 59-year-old former officer in the Carabinieri military police who previously served within Italy’s intelligence apparatus. Prosecutors did not disclose his identity.

The investigation centers on allegations that the suspect transferred protected information and unlawfully accessed information technology and telecommunications systems.

According to prosecutors, the former officer accepted payments in exchange for providing classified information to a Russian intelligence operative. The information was allegedly obtained through contacts that included four serving members of the Italian armed forces.

The Russian agent allegedly involved in the case is protected by diplomatic immunity in Italy, preventing immediate legal action against the individual under Italian jurisdiction.

Five additional people are under investigation as part of the inquiry, which prosecutors said began in May 2025. Authorities did not provide further details regarding their alleged roles or whether any charges had been filed.

The Russian embassy in Rome did not immediately comment on the allegations.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the investigation illustrated what he described as Russia’s approach toward Italy, which has provided military and civilian assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Writing on the social media platform X, Crosetto described the case as part of a broader “hybrid war,” saying it exposed both external threats and individuals willing to betray their country for financial or personal benefit.

The arrests come as European governments continue to intensify efforts against suspected espionage and foreign intelligence operations following the deterioration of relations between Russia and Western countries after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Italy has previously prosecuted similar espionage cases involving Russian officials. In 2021, Italian navy captain Walter Biot was arrested after authorities said he was caught handing confidential documents to an employee of the Russian embassy in a Rome parking area. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison.

The latest investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors continuing to examine the alleged transfer of classified information and the involvement of additional suspects.