The Italian government has decided to expel two military attaches at the Russian Embassy in Italy who were allegedly involved in espionage activities, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Thursday.

Italian police on Tuesday said they had arrested two people including "a former member of the national intelligence community" on charges of spying for Russia.

Two former member of Italy's intelligence services were arrested in Rome on Tuesday by the Carabinieri police for allegedly spying for Russia. (ANSA)