Italian authorities have successfully intercepted and neutralized a sophisticated cyber offensive originating from Russia, targeting critical national infrastructure. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking from Washington D.C., confirmed the attacks were directed at multiple foreign ministry offices internationally, with the embassy in Washington specifically identified, alongside digital systems supporting the ongoing Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The attempted breaches, disclosed just two days before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, also aimed at Olympic-related websites and hotel networks in the host mountain resort. Minister Tajani attributed the attacks to Russian sources but declined to elaborate on specific technical details or potential motives behind the operation.
Concurrently, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi addressed the Italian Parliament, outlining extensive security measures for the Games. A force of 6,000 security personnel, comprising bomb disposal specialists, counter-terrorism units, and snipers, is being deployed across venues spanning from Milan to the Dolomites. This robust security deployment is designed to safeguard both physical and digital domains throughout the international event, which commenced with initial curling matches in Cortina.