Austria announced on Friday that it was expelling four Russian diplomats stationed in Vienna over alleged conduct described as “activities incompatible with their diplomatic status,” a phrase commonly associated with suspected espionage.
In a statement, Austria’s Foreign Ministry said security authorities had uncovered findings that prompted action against the four officials. All were designated personae non gratae and instructed to leave the country.
Three of the diplomats were assigned to the Russian Embassy in Austria, while the fourth served at Russia’s delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), where military security and arms control are among the areas of responsibility.
Moscow intends to retaliate against the expulsions, Russian news agencies reported Friday, citing a Russian Foreign Ministry official. The official provided no further details about the planned response.
The latest decision raises the number of Russian diplomats expelled by Austria since 2020 to 18. Although Austria maintains a policy of military neutrality, its government has politically supported Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Austria generally refrains from publicly detailing the evidence behind diplomatic expulsions. However, following a previous round of removals in May, when three Russian diplomats were ordered out, officials cited an “antenna forest” on the rooftops of Russian diplomatic properties that could potentially be used for intelligence-gathering activities.
Vienna Remains a Major International Intelligence Hub
Vienna hosts numerous international institutions, including the OSCE and United Nations bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, making the Austrian capital an important center for diplomacy.
Major powers, including Russia and the United States, frequently maintain separate diplomatic representatives in Austria, at the OSCE and at UN organizations. These officials operate through distinct embassies or missions.
The city has also carried a long-standing reputation as a center of espionage. Divided into Allied-controlled sectors following World War II, Vienna developed into a strategic location for intelligence operations. Its concentration of foreign diplomats provides opportunities for intelligence personnel to work under diplomatic cover and benefit from diplomatic immunity.