Key facts
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said pro-Russian hackers carried out the breach of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
- Tajani said on Saturday that his personal data was stolen and posted on the dark web.
- Tajani said online criminals have circulated his private details on the dark web for days.
- Tajani said he would not let anyone intimidate him.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, said pro-Russian hackers were behind the breach involving Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, after he said on Saturday that his personal information had been stolen and published on the dark web. The dark web refers to hidden corners of the internet not reached by standard search tools.
Tajani said on Saturday that online criminals had circulated his private details there for days. He said they sought more information, leaving his family exposed to new threats and pressure. He would not say what kind of information had been shared.
In a post on X on Saturday, Tajani said the targeting came because of Italy’s position on Ukraine. He said the online attacks against him had not stopped. Italy has provided humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. It works with other EU and NATO members to back Ukraine’s defense against Russia‘s invasion, which is now in its fifth year.
Tajani is vice premier in Italy’s government, and he said he would not let anyone intimidate him. He said he would continue defending his ministry and Italy and would strengthen cooperation.
He declined to name a culprit for the cyber attack while restating Italy’s backing for Ukraine. Meloni expressed solidarity with Tajani following reports of pro-Russian hacker activity and the online publication of his personal data.
Meloni said the sale of officials’ private data is a grave concern that requires firm resolve. She described the situation as “a matter of grave concern that must be addressed with the utmost determination.”
The Kremlin is believed to direct suspected hybrid attacks across Europe. They involve drone incursions and sabotage on NATO territory. Other incidents include strikes on food supplies, threats against media organizations, and bomb threats that forced airlines to cancel and reroute flights.
The officials’ statements followed fake bomb threats across Europe that forced flights to divert and brought threats against media companies. The broader wave included strikes on grocery store cooling systems and unauthorized drone entries.
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