Austria has expelled three diplomats from the Russian Embassy over concerns that satellite installations on diplomatic buildings could be used for espionage.
"It is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage," Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Austria's Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, said in a statement on Monday. She confirmed that the three diplomats had already left the country.
Numerous satellite dishes have been placed on buildings used by the Russian state in the capital, Vienna, particularly at a residential complex for diplomatic staff. Austria's domestic intelligence services have for years warned they could be used to intercept satellite communications from other states.
"Espionage is a security problem for Austria. In this government, we have initiated a change of course and are taking consistent action against it," Meinl-Reisinger added.
Russia described the expulsions as "justified by nothing" and said it would respond harshly.
Vienna’s large diplomatic presence has long provided opportunities for intelligence agents to operate under diplomatic cover, benefiting from immunity.
The expulsions bring to 14 the number of Russian diplomats expelled by Austria since 2020.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas says the bloc will tighten enforcement of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. EU foreign ministers were meeting in Ireland following renewed Russian strikes on cities across Ukraine.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy says envoys from the United States will be visiting Moscow and Kyiv to negotiate an end to the conflict.
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A Russian court on Thursday imposed restrictions on Lida Moniava, the founder of a children’s hospice, who is accused of spreading false information about the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine.
China’s state-owned shipping giant COSCO has used concealed equipment aboard some of its vessels to collect intelligence on military communications near the coastlines of countries including the U.S., according to two senior Trump administration officials.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would block federal funding for universities that boycott Israel, as Republicans push ahead with pro-Israel measures despite growing criticism of the Israeli government over the war in Gaza.
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