The Austrian group OMV, active in oil, natural gas and chemicals, dismissed one of its executives due to suspicions of spying for Russian services. According to information made public, the affair also led to action by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which summoned a Russian diplomat based in Vienna.
Suspicious contacts with a Russian diplomat
The magazine Profil reported that the OMV employee allegedly came to notice because of regular contacts with a Russian diplomat suspected by Western intelligence services of belonging to the Federal Security Service (FSB), the domestic intelligence agency of the Russian Federation. These exchanges reportedly drew the interest of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN), which is said to have monitored the individual for several months.
OMV confirmed the immediate termination of the employee’s contract while stating that it is cooperating fully with the competent authorities. “For data protection reasons, we cannot comment further on individual employment relationships,” a company spokesperson said.
Diplomatic pressure between Vienna and Moscow
The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the allegations against the Russian diplomat and the pending criminal proceedings. It summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Russia in Vienna and requested that the individual’s diplomatic immunity be waived. Without such a waiver, the diplomat would have been declared persona non grata and required to leave Austrian territory.
No response could be obtained from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the affair. OMV, whose industrial history includes partnerships in energy with Russia, has not indicated any impact of this incident on its operations or current commercial agreements.
Heightened vigilance amid tensions
The dismissal comes amid increased scrutiny of links between managers of strategic companies and diplomatic representatives of third countries, including those from states considered hostile or monitored by European partners. Austria, whose neutrality is often tested, faces regular pressure to tighten controls in sensitive sectors such as energy.
