Investigation underway. No one saw the drone over the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Northern Italy.
- Yet, according to investigative sources cited by ANSA news agency, the facility’s radio wave detectors recorded frequencies linked to a Russian-made device.
- These sources report that the drone carried out five recent overflights within five to six days.
Espionage probe opened. On Monday, the Milan Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into “political or military espionage” – a charge carrying penalties ranging from 15 years in prison to life, aggravated by terrorist intent and the potential for “serious harm” to Italy.
- Investigators suspect the involvement of an Italian, pro-Russian operative – reminiscent of the case involving two businessmen from Monza accused last November of spying for Moscow.
- The pair allegedly approached Russian intelligence via an official email, offering information on Milan in exchange for Bitcoin.
Government’s response. “Inquiries are ongoing, and the competent judicial authorities are conducting further checks,” Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said on Monday.
- He noted that while no classified information appears compromised, the matter remains under close scrutiny.
- Defence Minister Guido Crosetto framed the incident within the broader context of hybrid warfare:
- “It is as dangerous as it is covert, relentless, and suffocating,” he stated.
- “It involves a mix of targeted cyberattacks, recruitment of operatives – people on foreign payrolls – mass disinformation campaigns, and the theft of military and industrial technology, among other hostile actions carried out by state and non-state actors.”
Analyst’s view. “The exact dynamics of the drone’s flight remain unclear, but Russian activities of this kind are frequent in Germany and other countries, particularly around military bases, so this is a realistic hypothesis,” said Matteo Pugliese, an analyst at Debunk.org.
- Speaking to our sister website Formiche.net, he added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if the drone originated from nearby Switzerland.”
- “In any case, this highlights the need to increase vigilance against Russian hybrid warfare, which combines sabotage and kinetic actions with information manipulation,” he concluded.
