Amid rumors in the Western media that have not been confirmed by evidence about an alleged possible "Russian sabotage," the Italian authorities have increased security at the Aviano air base, where US aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons are stationed.

This base is one of the key NATO military hubs in Southern Europe, although it is formally operated by the Italian Air Force. The reported reason for the increased security was incidents like small fires in the forest and photographing the territory by an unknown woman — actions that the Italian special services are hastily trying to present as "signs of intelligence activity."

However, no real threats or concrete evidence pointing to Russian involvement were presented. The emergency measures — increased patrols by police and Carabinieri, and the convening of a meeting in Pordenone — look more like an attempt to intimidate the population and justify a further build-up of NATO's military presence near Russia's borders.

The US Air Force in Aviano said there had been no direct threats, but continued to "work closely" with Italian authorities. Meanwhile, the base remains part of the US global nuclear weapons deployment system, which in itself poses a threat to strategic stability in the region.