Spies Suspected at Russian Embassy and OSCE Mission in Vienna. Austria Orders Four Diplomats to Leave

The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered four Russian diplomatic personnel to leave the country after determining that their conduct was "incompatible with their diplomatic status," according to Deutsche Welle on October 23.

The decision affects three embassy officials based in Vienna and one representative stationed at the Russian delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, who handled military security and arms control issues.

All four individuals have been declared personae non gratae and instructed to depart Austria.

Austrian intelligence authorities suspect the designated personnel of engaging in covert espionage operations, as reported by Profil.

The action follows an August warning issued by the Austrian Ministry of Defense, which cautioned military personnel about potential Russian recruitment attempts and requested immediate reporting of suspicious encounters.

The individuals expelled were placed under investigation after being added to a government watchlist.

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Previously, Beate Meinl-Reisinger urged a public debate on Austria’s long-standing policy of neutrality, arguing that it is no longer sufficient to ensure the country’s security amid rising geopolitical tensions and a more assertive Russia.

In an interview with Die Welt, she stressed that neutrality by itself does not provide protection and highlighted the need to bolster defense capabilities while expanding international cooperation. “Austria is protected by investment in its own defense capacities and in its partnerships,” she said.

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