The Russian Federation expelled the Italian military attaché from Moscow, along with his assistant, without any reason. This was stated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

"This is a blatant act of retaliation for Italy's expulsion of two Russian military diplomats who were caught red-handed carrying out espionage activities harmful to Italy's national security," he noted.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that in response to the expulsion of two employees of the Russian military mission at the embassy in Rome, Moscow expelled the Italian military representative.