World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Austria orders four Russian diplomats to leave over alleged espionage
Austria has ordered four Russian diplomats to leave after its Foreign Ministry said they engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status, a phrase used for suspected spying.
Three worked at Russia’s embassy in Vienna, and one was posted to its delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The ministry did not give details of the alleged activities, and Russia has promised an “inevitable” response.
The expulsions bring to 18 the number of Russian diplomats Austria has sent home since 2020.
Vienna hosts many international organizations, including the OSCE and United Nations agencies, and has long been considered a hub for espionage.
Austria is militarily neutral but has supported Ukraine, and its government is working on a law that would also punish espionage targeting international organizations; the four diplomats are to leave in the coming days.
Austria ordered four Russian diplomats to leave the country over activities it said were incompatible with their diplomatic status.
Three of the diplomats worked at the Russian Embassy in Vienna, and one represented Russia at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The expulsions bring the number of Russian diplomats Austria has expelled since 2020 to 18.
Russia said it would respond to the move.
- Who
- Austria ordered four Russian diplomats to leave; Russia said it would respond.
- What
- Austria declared the diplomats persona non grata over activities it said were incompatible with their diplomatic status.
- When
- Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
- Where
- Vienna, Austria.
- Why
- Austria cited findings by its security authorities and activities incompatible with diplomatic status; it did not provide further details.
Austria
Russia
Reason for expulsions
Austria
Austria said the diplomats engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status.
Russia
Russia’s embassy called the expulsions an unfriendly step and said Austria was following the West’s anti-Russian policy.
Response
Austria
Austria ordered the diplomats to leave the country.
Russia
Russia said an appropriate response would follow.
Austria expelled three Russian diplomats over suspected espionage linked to antennas on Russian diplomatic buildings.
Austria ordered four Russian diplomats to leave the country.
Russia said it would respond to Austria’s expulsions.
- Diplomats expelled
- 4
- Russian Embassy staff
- 3
- Russian mission staff
- 1 diplomat at the OSCE delegation
- Total expelled since 2020
- 18
- Location
- Vienna, Austria
4 sources
What people are saying
Vienna is thoughtlessly following the West's anti-Russian policy, and there will inevitably be an appropriate response to such measures
a reaction is unavoidable
engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status