Austria has taken a significant step in its relations with Russia, expelling three staff members from the Russian embassy in Vienna on suspicion of spying. The move was announced by Austria's Foreign Minister, who accused the Russian mission of using a 'forest of antennae' on its premises for illicit data collection.
The Foreign Minister's comments were made in a statement in which he criticised the use of diplomatic immunity to commit espionage. He described the situation as 'unacceptable', highlighting the need for countries to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Russian embassy in Vienna has been a hub for espionage activity for decades, with many countries viewing it as a key location for intelligence gathering. The Austrian government has not specified what exactly the three expulsed staff members were accused of, but it is clear that the incident has strained relations between the two countries.
The expulsions come at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with many countries pushing back against what they see as aggressive behaviour from Moscow. The Austrian government's decision to expel the three staff members is likely to be seen as a symbol of its commitment to upholding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.