The Italian Security Information System (AISE) reveals, in a report recently published, an extensive influence operation carried out by Russia on the presidential elections in Romania.
The document discusses the massive use of social networks, cyber attacks, and propaganda through various channels.
The Italian report: a strategy implemented by multiple actors
Russia conducted 34 hybrid attacks against Romania last year, as indicated by this report from the Italian intelligence services. The document also mentions the name of Călin Georgescu.
Chronologically detailed, the report explains how the presidential elections held on November 24, 2024, in Romania were annulled. It is specified that 25,000 TikTok accounts and 5,000 Telegram channels were involved in the electoral process.
On November 22, before the first round of the presidential elections, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was considered the favorite to advance to the second round. The Italian report highlights that during this period, online activity in favor of Călin Georgescu, an ultranationalist and pro-Russian candidate, significantly increased.
On the day of the elections, on November 24, Călin Georgescu unexpectedly secured 22.59% of the votes, managing to enter the second round alongside liberal candidate Elena Lasconi, who accumulated 19.18%.
The report mentions that 25,000 TikTok accounts and 5,000 Telegram channels were actively involved in his promotion.
On November 28, the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) signaled cyber attacks targeting the IT&C infrastructure used in the electoral process and the favorable impact that the TikTok platform offered to Georgescu.
The report mentions that, "during 2024, there was also a significant development of social trans-media narratives, as well as the use of fake news and video and audio materials created through artificial intelligence (deep fakes) (...)
The manipulation and interference of information are closely monitored, especially by Russia through a strategy implemented by multiple actors at different levels, which can be traced back to its governmental apparatus, capable of exploiting - as dissemination vehicles - all media and viralization tools typical of the digital environment and, in particular, those with relational connotations," the report specifies.
On December 4, Romanian authorities declassify and publish documents from security institutions, confirming "aggressive hybrid attacks carried out from abroad on the electoral process."
Following these revelations, on December 6, the Constitutional Court decides to annul the elections, including the second round scheduled for December 8.
Information manipulation and Russia's strategy
The Italian report shows that Russia used advanced information manipulation techniques to influence not only the elections in Romania but also other democratic processes globally.
"The level of uncertainty is amplified by the gradual erosion of the international order in place since World War II. Reform proposals and hypotheses of partial readjustment alternate with firmer attempts, accompanied by increasingly strong attacks on the foundations of liberal democracies, both to revise this order and to weaken global governance," the report specifies.