In brief
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that pro‑Russian hackers had released his personal information on the dark web, citing the country’s support for Ukraine as a possible motive. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the breach as a grave threat and pledged to investigate. The incident adds to a surge in cyber‑attacks targeting European officials amid heightened security tensions.
On 23 September 2026, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that his personal data had been published on the dark web by pro‑Russian hackers, a claim that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly blamed on those cyber‑criminals.
After the leak was discovered, Tajani posted on X that “for days now, cybercriminals have been publishing my personal data on the dark web and seeking further information, effectively exposing me to new threats and intimidation.”
During the same post, he warned that the hackers were also targeting his family and that the attacks were a reaction to Italy’s stance on Ukraine, stating that defending a sovereign state “is dangerous in the eyes of these criminal entities.”
Prime Minister Meloni expressed solidarity with Tajani, describing the sale of confidential information as a “matter of grave concern that must be addressed with the utmost determination.” She did not provide further details but reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening the Foreign Ministry’s digital defences.
Both officials emphasized that the threat is ongoing and that Italy is coordinating a response with its allies, situating the incident within a broader pattern of cyber‑attacks on European officials amid escalating security tensions.
