Russia has expelled the Italian military attaché in Moscow along with a collaborator. The decision was preceded by the summoning of the Italian chargé d'affaires Giovanni Scopa. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the move constitutes a retaliation for Italy's expulsion of two Russian military attachés. According to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the two Russian diplomats had been caught in flagrante while conducting espionage activities, as part of an investigation launched by the Rome Prosecutor's Office. Tajani described the Italian expulsion as a legitimate measure and the Russian one as an unjustified retaliation, calling it a blatant retaliation.

In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky removed the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, appointing Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of the joint forces, in his place. The announcement came via a message published on Telegram. The military leadership change came after days of protests in several Ukrainian cities, following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov the previous week. EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius had expressed surprise at Fedorov's removal. According to some sources, Zelensky subsequently contacted Fedorov to propose a new government role, but it remains unknown whether and in what capacity the minister will return to government functions.