Russian drone on Lake Maggiore, investigations by Milan Prosecutor's Office

The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation for alleged political or military espionage, aggravated by the purpose of terrorism, following reports of repeated overflights by a Russian-made drone over the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, located in Ispra, in the province of Varese.

According to initial reconstructions, the drone reportedly passed over the European research centre six times in five days. no-fly zone extended for about five square kilometres. The area also includes some industrial plants of Leonardo S.p.A., a strategic company in the defence and aerospace sector.

The investigations, coordinated by magistrates Eugenio Fusco and Alessandro Gobbis of the anti-terrorism pool, and conducted by the ROS of the Carabinieri, are based on the analysis of data collected by a capturing device in the JRC infrastructure. The software would have detected low frequencies compatible with the passage of a Russian technology drone. Radar traces were requested from ENAV and the Air Force for objective evidence of the aircraft's movements.

In parallel, possible further overflights of other sensitive targets in the area, including Leonardo sites, are being examined, and the possible presence of pro-Russian oriented individuals in the area is being assessed, also on the basis of participation in public events or demonstrations.

The position of the European Commission

In an official note, the European Commission stated that it had not recorded any violations of the no-fly zone and said it was not aware of any specific threats related to site security. Spokesperson Thomas Regnier reiterated the Commission's commitment to the protection of data, personnel and infrastructure, emphasising that no further communications on operational security aspects would be provided.

Crosetto: 'Hybrid war in progress'

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also intervened in the affair, speaking of an 'overt attempt at industrial espionage' and framing the episode in a broader scenario of 'hybrid warfare'. According to the minister, this is an unconventional conflict that manifests itself through cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, patent theft, and recruitment of subjects by hostile foreign entities.

Investigative activities continue with the listening of witnesses, including investigators and security personnel at the centre, and with checks on video surveillance systems and aerial surveillance of the area.