Espionage scandal in Austria: OMV executive dismissed for alleged spying for Russia
A major espionage scandal has erupted in Austria: one of the country’s key energy companies, OMV, has summarily dismissed a senior executive suspected of passing confidential information to Russia. The case has sparked diplomatic tensions between Vienna and Moscow.
Suspicious meetings with a Russian diplomat
According to Profil magazine, the man met regularly with a Russian diplomat believed by Western intelligence services to be an agent of the FSB, the Russian Federal Security Service. Due to these encounters, Austrian state security had been monitoring the executive for several months.
The Profil report also revealed that the suspect had temporarily worked at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), which holds a 25% stake in OMV. With the two companies currently involved in a massive USD 60 billion petrochemical merger, the dismissed executive likely had insight into both organisations. It is alleged that portions of this sensitive information were passed on to his Russian contact during meetings in Vienna.
OMV and authorities respond
OMV confirmed the dismissal to Reuters, stating that they are fully cooperating with the authorities. However, citing privacy reasons, the company has not disclosed the identity of the individual concerned.
Meanwhile, Austria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Embassy in Vienna, demanding that he waive his diplomatic immunity. Should he refuse, he risks being declared persona non grata, which would result in immediate expulsion from the country.
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Tensions rise between Vienna and Moscow
The case threatens to have serious political ramifications. While Moscow has yet to issue an official response, the incident stands to further strain Austrian–Russian relations, already tense since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. As one of the region’s most significant energy players, OMV’s involvement in an espionage scandal may affect not only the company’s standing but also Austria’s international reputation.
Former Moldovan spy chief in Budapest
As we reported before, Romanian, Hungarian and Czech authorities arrested a former Moldovan intelligence official suspected of treason. The man allegedly passed state secrets to the Belarusian intelligence service, including during two covert meetings in Budapest in 2024 and 2025.
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It’s interesting that while an article on the potential for Russian espionage involvement in the future Hungarian election has attracted multiple comments, here is an example of real-time Russian pot stirring that nobody has sought fit to comment on.