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The big surprise remains that Austria has military secrets, not that Russia would spy on them. If it is about invading Lichtenstein, Switzerland beat them to it (by accident). Maybe it’s their plan for what to do in the event of an invasion?

From: https://www.rferl.org/a/austria-issues-arrest-warrant-for-russian-man-suspected-of-spying/30077027.html “Austria Issues Arrest Warrant For Russian Man Suspected Of Spying July 26, 2019 11:27 GMT By RFE/RL
Austria has issued European and international arrest warrants for a Russian man on suspicion of espionage and working for Russia’s Military Intelligence (GRU).

Austria’s Interior Ministry said on July 26 that it is seeking Igor Zaitsev, a 65-year-old Russian citizen, who is wanted for the “betrayal of state secrets, secret intelligence activities to the detriment of Austria, and the intentional disclosure of military secrets.”

Local media reports say that Zaitsev is linked to the case against a retired Austrian military officer who was identified as a suspect who spied for Russia for almost 20 years in November.

The retired Austrian officer’s case sparked tensions between Vienna and Moscow, with the countries summoning each other’s diplomats over the situation.

Austria is one of the few European countries that has maintained close diplomatic contacts with Moscow despite Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and even after the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain, which London has blamed on the Kremlin.

Vienna, home to multiple international organizations and a branch of the United Nations, is known as a European espionage hub.

The city also used to be a gateway to communist countries during the Cold War because of its proximity to Eastern Europe.
With reporting by Kurier and Heute
Copyright (c) 2019-2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036” https://www.rferl.org/a/austria-issues-arrest-warrant-for-russian-man-suspected-of-spying/30077027.html


Part of the above article sounds remarkably similar to the Deutsche Welle article:
“Austria suspects colonel spied for Russia for decades
Vienna wants answers after finding that an Austrian army colonel may have been passing information to the Russians. Foreign Minister Kneissl has summoned the Russian ambassador and canceled a trip to Russia“. Date 09.11.2018 https://www.dw.com/en/austria-suspects-colonel-spied-for-russia-for-decades/a-46220775

“Austrian army colonel charged with spying for Russia
A retired colonel from the Austrian army is facing up to 10 years in prison on charges of passing on military secrets to Russia. The case has strained diplomatic ties between Vienna and Moscow“. Date 08.11.2019 Author Timothy Jones https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-army-colonel-charged-with-spying-for-russia/a-51170529