Austria expelled three Russian diplomats from its embassy in Vienna on 4/5, citing espionage related to an "antenna forest" on the embassy roof, a move that drew strong condemnation from Moscow. The Austrian Foreign Ministry confirmed the expulsions, which were first reported by the national broadcaster ORF.
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated that abusing diplomatic immunity for espionage is unacceptable, confirming the diplomats had left Austria. She emphasized that espionage is a security concern for Austria, prompting the country to adopt tougher measures.
ORF's report detailed that equipment on the Russian embassy roof in Vienna was allegedly used to illegally collect data, including satellite internet transmissions from international organizations based in the city. The Austrian Foreign Ministry had summoned the Russian ambassador in April over these concerns, including the "antenna forest" at the Russian diplomatic mission.
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Outside the Russian embassy in Vienna, Austria in 2018. Photo: Sputnik |
The Russian Embassy in Vienna denounced the expulsion as "excessive, baseless, politically motivated, and unacceptable." The embassy warned of swift retaliation and held Vienna responsible for the further decline of bilateral relations, which are already at a modern historical low.
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An image of "antennas on the roof of the Russian embassy in Vienna" released by Austrian media. Photo: ORF |
Vienna serves as a major diplomatic hub, hosting organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and various United Nations agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Major global powers, like Russia and the United States, often maintain separate ambassadors to Austria, the OSCE, and UN bodies.
As a neutral member state of the European Union (EU), Austria historically rarely carried out diplomatic expulsions before the conflict in Ukraine. The country's previous expulsion of a Russian diplomat for alleged espionage occurred in 4/2020. Since 2020, Austria has expelled a total of 14 Russian diplomats, with Russia typically responding by expelling Austrian diplomats.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP, TASS)
