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In Italy, Russia is suspected of launching drones over a European Commission facility, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reports.
The alleged target was the Joint Research Center (JRC) in Ispra, northern Italy. According to Italian media, a suspected Russian drone flew over the facility five times in March. The Milan prosecutor’s office is conducting a preliminary investigation, with an official espionage probe set to begin on March 31.
The JRC in Ispra has been operating for 65 years. Initially focused on nuclear research, it has since expanded its scope. One of its current projects involves UAV detection, which reportedly helped spot the suspicious drone.
Nearby, the facilities of the Italian defense company Leonardo are also located.
JRC specialists recorded at least five drone flights using their experimental surveillance system.
“The drone operator focused primarily on the area of the JRC, which houses advanced laboratories and research infrastructure,” Corriere della Sera wrote.
In addition, within a radius of several dozen kilometres from where the drone was sighted, there are key strategic facilities belonging to the Leonardo defence company, which is involved in developing aircraft and aerospace technologies. The Helicopter Training Academy in Sesto Calende is the nearest of these, just over 10 kilometres away. Also nearby is a helicopter unit in Vergiate, where modern military and civilian aircraft are produced.
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