Austria investigates suspected Ukrainian spies – media

The investigation stems from allegations made by Kravchenko, who fled to Austria in September after claiming a team had been sent to kill him on orders from Ukraine's presidential office. Austrian newspaper Kurier reported that the head of Ukraine's Artan Group, Viktor Torkotyuk, was spotted in Vienna, initially claiming to be on vacation.

Surveillance equipment

On October 5, Austrian police arrested two operatives under Torkotyuk's command who were carrying surveillance equipment. Initially, investigators believed one of the men had rented a car with Yaroslav Bondarenko, a cameraman working with journalist Mikhail Tkach. However, subsequent findings indicated Bondarenko had been mistaken for someone else.

Journalists detained

Tkach and Bondarenko were detained on October 8 and released the following day. The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office explained they were held because investigators suspected they were conducting surveillance at a location also monitored by the two already in custody. Prosecutors later admitted the suspicion against the journalists could not be substantiated.

Political motivations

Kravchenko fled Ukraine after anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO launched an investigation into allegations that his subordinates had protected fraudulent call centers. He accused these agencies of abusing their powers and claimed the case was politically motivated. Both agencies rejected his allegations.

The former prosecutor general has drawn parallels with a bombing in Monaco earlier this year that targeted Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev, injuring him, his teenage son and his partner. Two men linked to Ukrainian intelligence were subsequently arrested over the killing of the bomb planter, Anastasia Berezovskaya.