Austria Expels Three Russian Diplomats Over Espionage Allegations

Austria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the expulsion of three Russian diplomats accused of conducting espionage activities on Austrian soil. Austrian officials claim that these individuals are suspected of carrying out intelligence operations using satellite equipment installed on the rooftops of Russian diplomatic buildings in Vienna.

According to officials in Vienna, this action followed Moscow’s refusal to waive the diplomatic immunity of the three diplomats. Prior to their expulsion, Andrey Yuryevich Grozov, the Russian ambassador to Vienna, was summoned to the Austrian Foreign Ministry in mid-April and was asked to revoke the immunity of these individuals.

Austria’s Foreign Minister, Alexander Schallenberg, emphasized in an interview with Politico that the use of diplomatic immunity for espionage activities on Austrian territory is “unacceptable.” He added that this message was clearly conveyed to the Russian side.

Russia has yet to issue an official public response to this decision. Diplomatic tensions between European countries and Russia have increased in recent years, particularly following allegations related to intelligence activities.