On October 24, 2026, Austria expelled three employees of the Russian embassy and one representative of the Russian delegation to the OSCE. The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that these individuals were engaged in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status, which is typically considered a euphemism for espionage allegations.
History of Russian Diplomat Expulsions
Since the beginning of this practice in 2020, Austria has expelled a total of 18 Russian diplomats. The last expulsion occurred in May 2026, when three embassy staff members were accused of gathering data using satellite equipment on the premises of diplomatic facilities.
Russia's Response
In response to the recent expulsions, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that a reaction to Austria's actions would be