Austria’s foreign ministry says the order affects Russia’s embassy and its delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, requiring four diplomats to leave.
Austria’s foreign ministry said on October 23 that it had ordered four Vienna-based Russian diplomats to leave, citing findings by Austrian security authorities, Reuters reported via Armenpress. The ministry declared them personae non gratae, a diplomatic designation meaning they are no longer welcome in the country.
The decision brings the number of Russian diplomats Austria has expelled since 2020 to 18. The previous round, in May, involved three diplomats.
Three of the four diplomats worked at Russia’s embassy to Austria. The fourth worked on military security and arms control at Russia’s delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the ministry said.
The ministry described the grounds as “activities incompatible with their diplomatic status”. Reuters said that wording is usually used for spying. The ministry’s stated grounds are an official characterisation, not a finding of proven espionage.
Austria usually does not discuss the specifics of such expulsions. In May, however, the ministry attributed that round to an “antenna forest” on the roofs of Russian diplomatic buildings that it said could be used for spying.
Soon after the October 23 announcement, Russian news agencies quoted a Russian foreign ministry official as saying Russia would respond. The official did not specify what measures Russia would take.
The first National Security Strategy in two decades commits to deeper European cooperation as Canada and the European Union discuss closer ties.
2 min
Ukraine’s ombudsman plans food and medical aid for about 2,000 people in the Russian-occupied city on October 30, with mine clearance still under way.
3 min
The change applies across pension schemes from 28 October 2026. Where the member died before 75 and had enough remaining allowance, delays beyond two years no longer make lump sums taxable.
4 min
