Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has accused cybercriminals of targeting him by circulating his personal information on the dark web over the country’s continued support for Ukraine.
Tajani disclosed this in a post on X, alleging that the hackers had been sharing his private data online for several days and attempting to obtain additional information to expose him to further threats and intimidation.
He linked the alleged cyberattack to Italy’s political position on the Russia-Ukraine war, insisting that his country’s support for Kyiv and its defence of Ukraine’s sovereignty had made him a target.
The foreign minister said he would not be intimidated by the threats, maintaining that Italy’s position was based on defending democracy, national independence and the right of sovereign states to protect their territories.
Tajani’s disclosure comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western countries over their military, financial and diplomatic support for Ukraine.
Italy, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, has maintained its support for Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, providing both humanitarian assistance and military equipment to help Ukraine defend itself.
The Italian government has also supported international efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s security and maintain pressure on Moscow through diplomatic and economic measures.
The alleged targeting of Tajani raises fresh concerns about cybersecurity threats against public officials, particularly as the conflict continues to generate political and diplomatic tensions across Europe.
However, details about the identities of the suspected cybercriminals, the extent of the information exposed and whether any formal investigation has been concluded were not immediately disclosed.
