Italy's Meloni blames pro-Russian hackers for cyberattack on minister

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Saturday announced that personal data had been stolen from him and published on the Darknet.

In a statement on the social media platform X, Tajani said he had been targeted because of the Italian government's "position on Ukraine," and claimed criminals were "prepared to pay for other details on me and my loved ones," adding, "For days, cybercriminals have been spreading my personal data on the dark web and seeking other information, in fact exposing me and my family to new threats and intimidation."

Italy, like other EU and NATO member states, has provided humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against a nearly five-year Russian invasion.

The foreign minister did not specify what kind of information had been shared but suggested the criminal activity targeting him remained ongoing.

"I will not allow myself to be intimidated in any way," he said, adding, "I will continue working to defend my ministry, and Italy, and I will further strengthen the ties and cooperation to protect ourselves together."

What did Italian Prime Minister Meloni say about the hack?

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was unambiguous in her assertion that "pro-Russian hackers" were behind the security breach, calling it "a matter of grave concern that must be addressed with the utmost determination."

Accusations of Russian involvement in the Tajani hack come as Europe reels from a dizzying number of suspected "hybrid attacks" thought to be orchestrated by the Kremlin.

These have included drone incursions and sabotage in NATO territories, as well as attacks on food supplies, and most recently, threats against media outlets as well as a string of bomb threats that have forced the cancellation and rerouting of airline flights in the bloc.

Acts of sabotage linked to Russia surge in Europe