# Austria declared three Russian diplomats persona non grata over an “antenna forest” on the roofs of diplomatic buildings that could be used for spying. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said in a statement it is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage. She confirmed that the three diplomats had already left the country. It brings to 14 the number of Russian diplomats Austria has expelled since 2020. This move follows previous expulsions in 2023 and 2024 to curb covert Russian operations on Austrian soil, often described as a hub for foreign intelligence.
Austria expels three Russian diplomats over spying