Russian espionage in the middle of Vienna
Europe’s largest satellite spying station is located in the middle of Vienna, on the roof of the Russian UN embassy: a dozen antennas tap into Western communication satellites. In other EU countries, the technical staff of similar facilities have already been expelled from the country and the facilities themselves shut down. Not so in Vienna. But why?
The facility is not only a technical masterpiece, but also a political symbol. It reflects Vienna’s role as a global espionage hub, a position that Austria has held for decades. Russia benefits from Austria’s “neutrality” – and lax laws. After all, espionage is permitted as long as it is not directed “against Austria”, explains investigative journalist Erich Moechel in an interview with MATERIE. International organizations such as the UN and the OSCE also make the city attractive. At the same time, Vienna serves as a hub for Russian spies – a quarter of all Russian agents worldwide are said to be stationed here.
At a time when Russia is waging a war of aggression in Europe and destabilizing Western democracies, Vienna’s passivity seems like an anachronism. The political and legal framework conditions need to be reconsidered – not only in Austria’s interests, but also in the interests of its international partners.
More on the topic (in German):
Auf diesem Dach spioniert Russland in Wien
Der große Agentenaustausch in Mitteleuropa
Das „schwächste Glied“: Warum gerade Österreich ins Visier russischer Geheimdienste geriet
