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# Austria Expels Four Russian Diplomats Over Suspected Espionage
- URL: https://www.adriadefense.com/austria-expels-four-russian-diplomats-over-suspected-espionage/
- Published: 2026-10-23T14:21:02.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T14:21:02.000Z
- Description: Austria expels four Russian diplomats, including an OSCE military security official, following intelligence findings and reports of suspected contacts with Austrian military personnel.
- Author: AdriaDefense Desk
- Tags: Austria, CEE, Russia, Espionage, Intelligence, Vienna

Austria's Foreign Ministry announced on October 23, 2026, that four Russian diplomats accredited in Vienna had been declared personae non gratae and ordered to leave the country. 

Three were assigned to the Russian Embassy in Vienna, while the fourth served with Russia's delegation for military security and arms control at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

According to the ministry, the expulsions followed findings by Austrian security authorities indicating that the diplomats had engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. 

The three embassy officials were declared personae non gratae under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, while the OSCE representative was expelled under the applicable headquarters agreement. The ministry did not publicly identify the individuals or disclose details of their alleged activities.

## Austrian Military Warned of Suspected Russian Intelligence Contacts

The expulsions follow an investigation first reported by Austrian news magazine *profil*. In August, Austria's Ministry of Defense reportedly circulated an internal warning to Austrian Armed Forces personnel and reservists concerning possible contact attempts by suspected Russian intelligence operatives.

The warning reportedly contained information on 21 individuals identified through material published by the Russian investigative outlet Proekt. According to *profil*, several individuals were already known to Austrian security authorities, and the military subsequently received additional information following its request for reports of suspicious contacts.

Three of the expelled embassy diplomats were reportedly among those identified in the earlier warning. Austrian authorities have not publicly released evidence establishing the specific activities attributed to the four individuals or confirmed that the OSCE diplomat was connected to the same list.

In an August 20 statement, Austria's Foreign Ministry said it had requested an immediate examination of the published intelligence allegations by the relevant security authorities.

## Vienna's Russian Intelligence Concerns

The latest expulsions follow a separate operation in May 2026, when Austria ordered three Russian Embassy employees to leave over suspected espionage involving satellite communications equipment installed on Russian diplomatic properties in Vienna.

At the time, Austrian authorities raised concerns that rooftop antenna installations could be used to intercept communications associated with international organizations operating in the Austrian capital.

Vienna hosts several major international institutions, including the OSCE, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Office at Vienna. The concentration of diplomatic and international organizations has made the city a longstanding focus of foreign intelligence activity.

Austria is also considering changes to its espionage legislation. Current provisions primarily address espionage directed against Austrian interests, while proposed amendments would expand criminal protection to international organizations operating in the country.

Russia has criticized the latest diplomatic action. Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky said Moscow would respond to the expulsions, although no specific retaliatory measures had been announced at the time of reporting.