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  "path": "/news/world/austria-russian-diplomats-spying-antenna",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-04T14:02:40.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "US denies navy warship struck by two missiles in Strait of Hormuz",
    "Police officer dangles over crocodile-infested waters in bid to retrieve human remains",
    "Two US servicemen missing in Morocco during military training exercise",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAustria has declared three Russian diplomats \"personae non gratae\" following concerns over a collection of satellite dishes mounted on Russian diplomatic properties in Vienna, the government announced on Monday.\n\nThe installations, described as an \"antenna forest,\" have been under scrutiny by Austrian intelligence services for years.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSuspicions suggest they could be employed to eavesdrop on other nations' satellite communications.\n\nForeign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger condemned the alleged activities in a statement.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe said: \"It is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage.\"\n\nThe minister confirmed that all three diplomats have already departed Austrian territory.\n\nAustrian broadcaster ORF identified the expelled individuals as Russian embassy staff, a characterisation subsequently verified by the foreign ministry without providing additional details.\n\nThe Directorate for State Security and Intelligence, Austria's primary domestic security agency, has monitored the rooftop equipment for an extended period.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSylvia Mayer, who leads the directorate, addressed journalists about the threat posed by the installations but offered limited explanation, citing only their scale and characteristics as factors of concern.\n\nShe declined to elaborate on why authorities chose this particular moment to act.\n\nWith these latest expulsions, Austria has now removed 14 Russian diplomatic personnel from the country since 2020.\n\nMoscow has signalled it will not let the matter rest.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * US denies navy warship struck by two missiles in Strait of Hormuz\n  * Police officer dangles over crocodile-infested waters in bid to retrieve human remains\n  * Two US servicemen missing in Morocco during military training exercise\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Russian embassy in Vienna did not respond immediately to requests for comment.\n\nThe Russian news agency RIA reported that the embassy warned the Kremlin would respond severely to Austria's decision.\n\nVienna occupies a unique position in international diplomacy.\n\nIt serves as host to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and various United Nations bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMajor powers such as Russia and the United States typically maintain separate ambassadors to Austria, the OSCE and UN organisations, each operating their own embassy or mission in the city.\n\nThis concentration of diplomatic activity creates opportunities for intelligence operatives to work under diplomatic cover, shielded by immunity from prosecution.\n\nThe Austrian capital's reputation as a centre for espionage stretches back decades.\n\nFollowing the Second World War, Vienna was carved into Allied sectors, establishing conditions that made it a notorious hub for intelligence gathering throughout the Cold War era and beyond.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**\n**\n\n**\n**\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Austria brands three Russian diplomats 'personae non gratae' after 'spying antenna forest' erected on roof"
}