Russia is using Austria as a "base" for its diplomats in Europe, with diplomatic staff not always performing diplomatic functions, reports Yevropeyska Pravda, citing The Wall Street Journal.
The WSJ spoke to anonymous interlocutors from Austria's intelligence services and other Western officials. They noted that Vienna has become a "base" for Russia's clandestine operations. From here, Russian operatives coordinate financial and logistical support for assassinations, sabotage and recruitment across Europe.
In the Austrian capital, Russians are stationed in nearly 40 buildings with various surveillance equipment installed on the roofs. The number of officials in this European country has increased to more than 500 over the past two years (it was about 400). Almost half of them are diplomats and people with managerial functions, while the rest de facto act as spies.
Despite the suspicions of Western intelligence services about the dubious work of Russian "diplomats", nothing can be done about it - espionage is not prohibited in Austria unless it is directed against this country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the offending diplomats could be expelled, but that sufficient evidence was needed.
Russians in Austria are monitoring the logistics of Western military aid to Ukraine; Russian officials in Vienna allegedly paid a fee to the killers of Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov (he cooperated with Ukraine and hijacked a Mi-8 helicopter in exchange for a large reward, and was later found dead in Spain); Russia sends large sums of cash to this country by land, after which diplomats transport the money around Europe using personal belongings, as the police cannot check them.
An Austrian intelligence source told the WSJ that Austria is becoming "a problem for our neighbours because Russia is using us as an operational base".
The country's opposition politicians are also reacting to these facts. Opposition MP Stephanie Krisper said that the Austrian government should put an end to the "extremely dangerous inaction" of Russian spies.
The Austrian Interior Ministry stressed that their country is one of the safest because its security structures are very effective. A spokeswoman for the ministry said that the intelligence service is aware of the threat of Russian spies and influence operations. At the same time, such threats are allegedly countered in accordance with the law.