Austria has expelled three Russian Embassy employees suspected of engaging in espionage. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger announced on Monday that the diplomats were declared personae non gratae after authorities discovered a forest of antennas on the roofs of the Russian Embassy in Vienna and a diplomatic compound in the Donaustadt district.
The installations were allegedly used to intercept satellite internet data transmitted by international organizations based in Vienna, including the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and various U.N. agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency. These expulsions bring the total number of Russian diplomats sent home by Vienna to 14 since 2020.
The Russian ambassador was summoned in April regarding these activities. When Russia refused to lift the diplomats' immunity to allow for a prosecutorial investigation, the government proceeded with the expulsions. Minister Meinl-Reisinger stated that it is unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used for spying and noted that the government is now tightening espionage laws to extend protections to international organizations, as current laws only punish espionage targeting Austrian interests.
The Russian Embassy described Austria's decision as outrageous and stated that Moscow will respond strongly. In a statement on Telegram, the embassy added that Vienna bears full responsibility for the further deterioration of bilateral relations, which they described as being at a historical low.