"Suspicious Activities": Vienna Escalates Against Moscow, Expels 4 Diplomats

Austria expelled four Russian diplomats on Friday, following accusations that they engaged in "activities incompatible" with their status, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, the ministry said: "Based on findings by Austrian security authorities, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken measures against four Russian diplomats in Vienna."

The ministry noted that three diplomats at the Russian embassy had "engaged in activities not compatible with their diplomatic status."

It added that another member of Russia's delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) had also "engaged in activities incompatible with his status... Consequently, he was also declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Austrian territory."

Several European countries have expelled Russian diplomats since the start of Russia's war on Ukraine in 2022, alongside successive packages of sanctions against Moscow.

Hungary expelled ten members of the Russian diplomatic mission in September under new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, citing the need to protect the country's "security and sovereignty."

Austria has also expelled diplomats on several occasions since the invasion of Ukraine began, albeit in numbers far lower than other nations.

Austria is not a member of NATO and maintains a policy of neutrality. It is frequently described as a hub for Russian spies due to its relatively lenient laws regarding espionage.