Austria has expelled three Russian diplomats over suspicions they were involved in espionage activities, authorities in Vienna confirmed on Monday.
The move follows growing concerns about a cluster of satellite dishes and communication equipment installed on buildings linked to the Russian state in the Austrian capital.
Security officials have been monitoring the installations for years, warning they could be used to intercept sensitive communications.
Announcing the decision, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said Austria would not tolerate the misuse of diplomatic privileges.
“It is unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used as cover for espionage,” she said, adding that the diplomats had already left the country.
With this latest action, Austria has now expelled 14 Russian diplomats since 2020.
Russia pushed back quickly. In a statement, its embassy in Vienna said the accusations were baseless and promised a strong response.
The diplomats were said to be attached both to the embassy and Russia’s mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Austria’s domestic intelligence agency, the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence, has long kept an eye on the unusual installations.
While officials declined to go into technical details, they suggested the size and configuration of the equipment raised red flags.
Vienna’s status as a global diplomatic hub makes it a focal point for such tensions. The city hosts major international bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, and has historically been viewed as fertile ground for intelligence operations.
That reputation dates back decades. With dozens of embassies and international missions operating side by side, Vienna has often been described as a quiet hotspot for espionage where intelligence agents can blend in under diplomatic cover.
