Italian Journalists Return Home After Tense Reporting in Russia

Two Italian journalists, Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini, will return to Italy after their controversial report from Ukraine-held parts of Russia. The move, announced by RAI, ensures their safety amid threats of legal action by Russia. Italy's ambassador addressed the issue with Russian authorities.

Two Italian journalists, who have stirred controversy in Moscow with their TV report from Ukrainian-held parts of Russia's Kursk region, are set to return to Italy, according to state broadcaster RAI. The announcement comes after Russia summoned Italy's ambassador over what it termed an 'illegal border crossing' by the RAI crew.

'The company decided to make journalist Stefania Battistini and cameraman Simone Traini return temporarily to Italy, solely to ensure personal safety and security,' RAI stated. The decision follows claims by Baza, a Telegram channel close to Russian law enforcement, that the interior ministry was planning to open criminal cases against the two journalists.

A four-person RAI crew, operating under Ukrainian military escort, produced the first foreign media report from the war-ravaged Russian town of Sudzha. The town was captured last week during a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk. Battistini and Traini are scheduled to return to Milan by Sunday.

Neither Battistini, who reported live from Kyiv on Saturday's TG1 news program, nor Traini were available for comment. Italy's ambassador, Cecilia Piccioni, explained to Russian authorities that RAI and its teams act independently. 'Journalism is not a crime,' the RAI union Usigrai and the national press union FNSI stated, denouncing any legal actions against the journalists.

(With inputs from agencies.)