Trending Now - Austria Boots Three Russian Diplomats Amid Spying Allegations

WHO:

AP News - Three Russian Embassy employees were expelled by Austria.

AP News - Beate Meinl-Reisinger is the Foreign Minister of Austria.

AP News - The Russian Embassy issued a statement regarding the expulsions.

WHAT:

AP News - Austria expelled three Russian diplomats suspected of espionage.

AP News - The diplomats were suspected of using antennas on the roofs of the Russian Embassy and a diplomatic compound in Vienna for spying.

AP News - The antennas allowed Russia to intercept data transmitted by international organizations via satellite internet.

AP News - Austria is tightening its espionage law to prevent future cases.

WHERE:

AP News - The expulsions took place in Vienna, Austria.

AP News - The antennas were located on the roofs of the Russian Embassy and a diplomatic compound in the Donaustadt district of Vienna.

WHY:

AP News - The Foreign Minister stated that espionage is a security problem for Austria and emphasized the need for decisive action against it.

AP News - The Russian side was asked to lift the diplomats' immunity to allow for prosecution, but they refused, leading to the expulsions.

HOW:

AP News - The espionage was conducted using a "forest of antennas" installed on top of diplomatic buildings.

AP News - The Austrian authorities confirmed the suspicions through a report aired by the Austrian public broadcaster ORF.

(UPDATED May 4, 2026 19:24 UTC)

Austria has expelled three Russian diplomats suspected of espionage, following allegations that they used antennas on the roofs of the Russian Embassy and a diplomatic compound in Vienna to intercept data from international organizations. The Foreign Minister of Austria, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, emphasized that espionage poses a significant security problem for the country, prompting the government to tighten its espionage laws to prevent future incidents. The Russian Embassy has issued a statement regarding the expulsions, while Austria requested the lifting of the diplomats' immunity for prosecution, a request that was denied.