On or before 4 February 2026, Italy foiled a series of Russian cyberattacks aimed at disrupting the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The attacks targeted foreign ministry offices including Washington, as well as critical Olympic locations such as hotels in Cortina. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani disclosed these incidents amid tightening security operations as the Games approached. Political focus centered especially on Milan, where key leaders including US Vice President JD Vance were expected for the opening ceremony. The issue became contentious over the potential involvement of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Milan. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi emphasized that ICE agents, who are engaged in US immigration crackdowns, would not patrol Milan’s streets. ICE clarified that its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) personnel would operate only within US diplomatic missions as intelligence agents without executive policing authority. Milan’s mayor rejected ICE presence, calling it “a militia that kills.” Additionally, Piantedosi affirmed standard security protocols involving sending officials to Olympic events, dismissing controversies. The US ambassador stated that HSI’s role during the Olympics would be limited to advisory and intelligence functions. Separate demonstrations and protests were planned relating to ICE deployment, Israel’s participation in the Games, and environmental concerns over new infrastructure and artificial snow use. The response highlighted ongoing cyber threats and political sensitivities surrounding the international event’s security environment.
Category: Cyber & Information Warfare
Subcategory: Cyber Attacks
Incident Type: Hacking, malware, ransomware
Country: Italy
Source report: www.france24.com/en/live-n…
