Austria expels four Russians for espionage

Austria has expelled four Russian diplomats for engaging in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status, implying espionage. Three diplomats are from the Russian embassy in Vienna, while one is part of the Russian delegation to the OSCE. Vienna has been a significant center for international organizations and espionage since WWII. The city is considered a hub for Russian spies, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. A former Austrian security service employee was sentenced to four years for spying for Russia, and another businessman is linked to the same network. Austria has maintained neutrality since the Cold War and condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine but does not provide military support to Ukraine.