Russian drone spied on Italian research and defense facilities—media

Italian experts have recorded flights of an unknown drone, believed to be of Russian origin, in Northern Italy. The aircraft flew five times over the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) in Ispra last week.

According to the Corriere della Sera, JRC experts used their own experimental surveillance system to record at least five flights of the drone.

“Whoever was piloting it focused primarily on the JRC’s territory, where there are advanced laboratories and research infrastructure,” the newspaper writes.

In addition, within a radius of several tens of kilometers from the drone’s observation site, there are key strategic facilities of the Leonardo defense company, which develops aviation and space technologies.

The closest one, the Sesto Calende Helicopter Training Academy, is located just over 10 kilometers away. Vergiate also houses a helicopter unit that manufactures modern military and civilian aircraft.

And other strategic centers are in Somma Lombardo (less than 30 kilometers) and Samarate (about 40 kilometers), while Venegono Superiore—also just over 30 kilometers away—hosts the headquarters of the prestigious Aircraft Division.

The possibility that this drone was conducting reconnaissance or targeting the JRC research center is a serious concern in Italy. High-tech cameras and tools, capable of conducting detailed nighttime surveillance, three-dimensional mapping, and recording critical infrastructure, could potentially equip the drone.

The matter has received significant attention. So much so that investigations were immediately launched to trace the origin of the drone, who piloted it, and whether it could have been a reconnaissance and espionage mission.

The issue may have been discussed at the Interministerial Committee for Republic Security’s last meeting after the Council of Ministers.

It is not yet known whether the drone also flew over other strategic sites in the region. Italian security services are investigating to find out its origin and purpose.

The JRC Research Center in Espri is the third largest research campus of the European Commission after Brussels and Luxembourg. It has been operating for more than 65 years and specializes in areas such as nuclear research, security, space, sustainable development, and transportation.

Regardless of the reasons for the repeated appearance of the suspicious aircraft recently, a “no fly zone” is active over the European research center in Ispra, as well as other critical areas in the vicinity. In any case, the person who took the drone into the air could face criminal charges.

The intention of Russian intelligence to map specific cities and places in Italy emerged in 2024 with the investigation by the Carabinieri del Ros of two Milanese owners of a technology services company accused of “corruption by a foreigner,” aggravated by the purpose of terrorism and subversion, according to the Italian outlet.

After being “enlisted” on Telegram and in exchange for payments in cryptocurrency, the couple used dash-cams mounted on taxis to film sensitive locations in Milan and Rome.