Russia expelled two Italian diplomats on Monday in response to Italy's decision earlier this month to remove two Russian military attachés over alleged espionage.

The move marks the latest escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Italy's earlier decision to expel the military attaché and his assistant from Russia's Embassy in Rome was "groundless." It added that Italy's Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow, Giovanni Scoppa, was summoned to the ministry to receive an official protest.

In line with the principle of reciprocity and international diplomatic practice, Italy's military attaché in Moscow, Davide D'Aprile, and his assistant, Vittorio Parrella, were declared persona non grata. They, along with their family members, have been given 72 hours to leave Russia.

The diplomatic dispute began after Italian Deputy PM and FM Antonio Tajani announced on July 9 that Italy was expelling two Russian military attachés assigned to the Russian Embassy in Rome over alleged espionage activities. Italian authorities said the decision was based on findings by the country's domestic intelligence agency, which concluded that the officials had engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status.Italian media also reported that prosecutors are investigating an alleged espionage network involving two former Italian intelligence officers accused of passing sensitive information to Russia.

The expelled Russian diplomats are reportedly linked to the investigation.Tajani called the expulsions an unjustified retaliatory measure. (ILKHA)