The Italian Foreign Minister reported an attack by pro-Russian hackers
On Saturday, November 4, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he had been targeted by cybercriminals. Hackers are circulating his personal information online.
The politician cited support for Ukraine as the reason for the attacks. The Italian government official spoke about the pressure from the attackers on social media.
What is known about the cyberattack?
Tajani said that pro-Russian hackers are leaking not only his personal information but also that of his family members. According to the minister, the criminals are trying to exert psychological pressure and provoke a wave of intimidation. Currently, they are trying to gather even more private information.
“For several days now, cybercriminals have been spreading my personal data on the dark web and trying to obtain additional information, subjecting me to new threats and intimidation,”
– stated Antonio Tajani.
The official is convinced that the coordinated attack is directly linked to Rome’s firm foreign policy stance in support of Kyiv. Italy has consistently provided Ukraine with both humanitarian and military aid to counter Russian armed aggression.
“Our position on Ukraine is the political reason why I have become a target: the defense of a sovereign state’s freedom and a clear stance in favor of democracy and national independence,”
– the minister emphasized.
Despite the aggressive actions of cybercriminals and attempts to exert pressure, the foreign minister assured that such blackmail would not influence the Italian government’s position. He stated that he is not afraid of intimidation.
Tajani stated that the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes such threats very seriously. He explained that, effective January 1, 2026, he will establish a “cyber directorate” to defend against digital attacks by entities linked to hostile states.
Reuters reported that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her support for Tajani. She emphasized that the leak of confidential information concerning government officials is “a cause for serious concern.”
In screenshots seen by the news agency, a photo of the Italian foreign minister appeared on a list of 18 “citizens hostile to Russia.” Cybersecurity experts were also included on the list.
As a reminder, on November 1,Russian hackers also hacked the “Air Raid Alert” app. The app sent fake alerts about alleged chemical or radiation threats, street fighting, or “Oreshnik” missile strikes.