Russian intelligence has lost the ability to protect from arrest its discredited agents abroad, as evidenced by the example of Austria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Karin Kneissl, who unexpectedly surfaced in Russia.
Karin Kneissl was reasonably suspected of a clandestine cooperation with Russian intelligence.
According to the latest reports, she currently resides in the village of Petrushovo, Russia’s Ryazan region.
Kneissl claims to be writing books and continues to work at the Geopolitical Observatory for Russia’s Development at the State University of St. Petersburg. However, according to our estimates, Russian intelligence brought her to Russia to give her shelter in order to prevent her arrest by the Austrian authorities, which would lead to the exposure of a large-scale Russian intelligence network in Austria.
In September 2022, RLI reported that Kneissl could be an example of the scope of Russian intelligence infiltration into EU institutions.
In July 2022, Kneissl left Austria, explaining her decision by incoming threats over her Russia ties. Kneissl left for Lebanon because of the risks of her involvement in Russian intelligence operations being exposed. The choice of Lebanon was most likely due to Moscow’s fears of Kneissl’s connection with Russian intelligence surfacing, as well as certain guarantees against her potential extradition to Austria. Russia-friendly Hezbollah could provide such guarantees on Lebanese soil.
However, Moscow was likely unsure of Kneissl’s safety in Lebanon so she was exfiltrated to Russian territory, from where the Austrian authorities would not be able to secure her extradition. This is also evidenced by the location of their disgraced agent – the village of Petrushovo, Kasimovsky district, Ryazan region, which is ideal for setting up safe accommodation in the interests of Russian intelligence.
It’s highly likely that the entire village can be used by Russian foreign and domestic intelligence (FSB) for the purposes of covert accommodation of certain individuals. It is noteworthy that the village has no cafes, grocery stores, or pharmacies. The nearest grocery store is 11-15 kilometers away. In 2020, Kneissl reported her husband Wolfgang Meilinger to the police, accusing him of domestic violence and assault. The Austrian police issued a restraining order, banning Meilinger from living and staying in the same house with Kneissl and even approaching her. Thus, it is unlikely that she lives in Petrushovo with her spouse. The lack of shops, cafes, restaurants, and other infrastructure suggests that Kneissl has groceries brought to her specifically. This confirms the version that Russia’s intelligence exfiltrated the former official, offered her accommodation, and ensured that food supplies and other necessities are provided. We are convinced that the choice of Petrushovo as a place of residence could not have been made by Katrin Kneissl on her own. The location of the settlement and its infrastructure is fit for someone to settle under a program similar to witness protection in the United States, adjusted for Russian realities. In a comment to reporters, she stated: “I know nothing about my future, nothing.” This suggests that Kneissl has lost her freedom and is now dependent on the Russians.
It is likely that Kneissl’s residence is heavily guarded.
The population of the village was 43 as of 2010. Considering the demographic crisis in Russia, ongoing urbanization, and the recent Covid-19 pandemic, there is reason to believe that this year, the population is no more than 90% of the 2010 figures. However, satellite data show over 80 buildings, 70 of which are residential. This does not correspond to the suggested population data, indicating that those living in the area are service personnel, guards, and other individuals affiliated with Russian intelligence. For example, it is reported that a French businessman (married to a Russian woman) lives in the village along with his family.
Kneissl’s move to village of Petrushovo indicates that Russian intelligence is limited in its ability to accommodate and ensure safety of its discredited agents. In fact, Kneissl lost her independence, her usual circle of friends, and at the age of 58 she is forced to start building her life anew. Even if we assume that she is not experiencing financial issues, the limited infrastructure of the rural area and the possible ban on crossing out of Russia definitely affect the former senior official and are not worth the funds she might have received from the Russians.
The fact that information about Kneissl’s whereabouts made it into the Russian media suggests that Moscow plans to further use their asset in its operations.
It is unlikely that Kneissl’s stay in Petrushovo will have a positive impact on her mental and emotional state. Such risks increase the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome for her in Russia, since it is obvious that her silence is critical to the safety of the Russian intelligence network in Austria, the only country in Europe that did not see the mass expulsion of Russian intelligence operatives from the country, and whose government never sought to weaken Russia’s HUMINT network on its soil.
