Austria expelled three Russian embassy staff members on suspicion of espionage, as the diplomats’ activities were inconsistent with their official status.
This was reported by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to Reuters.
The ministry has already declared the staff members persona non grata, and they have left the country.
According to authorities, suspicions were raised by infrastructure on the roofs of diplomatic buildings.
This refers to a so-called ‘forest of antennas,’ which likely facilitated radio-technical reconnaissance and the interception of conversations.
“Espionage is a security issue for Austria,” said Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Austria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This case adds to a list of similar decisions: since 2020, Vienna has already expelled 14 Russian diplomats. In addition, pro-Russian spy networks have been exposed on the country’s territory on multiple occasions.
They acted on instructions from intelligence agencies, spread disinformation, and posed as Ukrainians to undermine trust in refugees and Ukraine itself.
Earlier, Militarnyi reported that a pro-Russian spy network linked to the Russian FSB had been exposed in Austria. The agents were conducting a disinformation campaign while posing as ‘Ukrainian Nazis.’
The perpetrators used far-right symbols in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, combined them with the slogan ‘Glory to Ukraine,’ and added provocative messages against Russians. The goal of the campaign was to create the false impression that Ukrainians themselves were spreading this ideology.
