Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Italian prosecutors drop Russian drone case
Italian prosecutors thought there were Russian drones flying over a special research place called the European Joint Research Centre (JRC).
They investigated and found out that the alerts were not from drones but from a problem with a nearby phone signal booster.
The prosecutors asked to stop the case because it was a mistake.
The JRC does important research on things like space and nuclear safety.
Sometimes, people accuse Russia of doing sneaky things, but Russia says it's not true.
A judge will decide if the case should be closed.
Italian prosecutors investigated 21 alleged Russian drone overflights of the European Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy.
The investigation, launched in March 2025, suspected military or political espionage for terrorist purposes.
Prosecutors found that the false alerts were caused by interference between the JRC's security system and a nearby GSM phone signal booster.
Prosecutors requested the case be dropped, a decision that is typically a formality for a judge to approve.
The JRC is a major research campus focusing on issues like nuclear safety, space, and sustainable resources.
- Who
- Italian prosecutors and the European Joint Research Centre (JRC)
- What
- Investigation into suspected Russian drone flights over the JRC
- When
- March to May 2025 (investigation), December 22, 2025 (prosecutors' request to drop case)
- Where
- Ispra, near Lake Maggiore, Italy
- Why
- To determine if there were unauthorized drone flights and potential espionage
- Location
- Ispra, near Lake Maggiore, Italy
- Investigation Period
- March to May 2025
- Number of Alleged Overflights
- 21
- Cause of False Alerts
- Interference from a private GSM phone signal booster
- Facility
- European Joint Research Centre (JRC)
- Year JRC Opened
- 1960
- JRC's Research Focus
- Nuclear safety, space, sustainable resources, migration, transport