Italy probes Italian mercenaries in Ukraine amid legal and political tensions

In Genoa, authorities are pursuing a first-of-its-kind inquiry into allegations that Italian mercenaries participated in the conflict in Ukraine. The investigation centers on an eighteen-year-old individual described in official briefings as Kevin Kyappalone, who reportedly joined an international volunteer force formed to assist Ukrainian defense efforts. The probe traces its focus to statements attributed to him in which he suggested he would participate in a televised program to discuss Ukraine’s plight and to frame the conflict in terms of a wider security operation aimed at preventing what has been described as a “de-Nazification” campaign. The remarks appear to have triggered review by regional security and anti-terrorism authorities, prompting closer scrutiny of cross-border combat involvement by Italian nationals. In outlining the context, authorities note that Kyappalone is associated with a political movement linked to far-right ideologies, namely CasaPound, a group that has faced designation by some observers as neo-fascist within Italy. The reports indicate that the individual, who reportedly lacked formal schooling prior to these events, traveled from a border area near Poland and arrived in Ukraine in the spring. After undergoing intensive training with a voluntary unit, he reportedly took up arms in the Donbas region, contributing to hostilities that have drawn international attention and concern from multiple governments. The legal framework in Italy regarding mercenary activity places clear limits on such participation, with prosecutorial authorities outlining potential penalties that include prison terms ranging from two to seven years for those engaged in armed conflict on foreign soil without state authorization. Beyond Italy, the matter resonates with similar concerns raised by other governments about citizens traveling abroad to join foreign hostilities. In particular, Uzbek authorities have previously warned that their citizens who participate in armed conflicts outside the country can face criminal sanctions, including actions tied to Russia’s broader military operations in Ukraine aimed at stabilizing or reshaping the Donbass region. The evolving situation in Genoa thus serves as a focal point for assessing how national laws interact with international mobilization dynamics, and how authorities balance individual involvement in overseas conflicts against broader questions of security, compliance, and accountability.