Romania, along with other European countries, was targeted in 2024 by specific „sabotage” actions using the arsenal of hybrid techniques by the Russian Federation.
The purpose of the hybrid attacks was to test the defense readiness of NATO countries and to identify weaknesses in infrastructure, according to DIICOT in the activity report for the previous year.
"Throughout the year 2024, both Romania and other European countries were targeted by various 'sabotage' actions specific to the arsenal of hybrid techniques that the Russian Federation used in Romania, as well as in allied states. Since 2022, at least 50 incidents have taken place in 13 European countries, which could be Russian hybrid operations. These include cases of espionage, sabotage, vandalism, cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, and three attacks on underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea," says DIICOT.
Prosecutors indicate that Russia has changed tactics in launching hybrid attacks, no longer sending its agents to NATO countries, but recruiting random contractors on chat platforms in the Telegram app for a fee.
"Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden have been affected by hybrid attacks. In most cases, there were no casualties, although avoiding casualties is not a priority for Russian intelligence services. There is also a shift in tactics - Russia no longer sends trained agents, but recruits random contractors for a fee.
Candidates are recruited on Telegram chats, with salaries ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The purpose of hybrid attacks is to test the defense readiness of NATO countries, identify weaknesses in infrastructure, and overwhelm the investigative authorities of Western states," explains DIICOT.
Romania is not facing terrorist threats, but there are local supporters of the Islamic State.
According to DIICOT, Romania did not face a specific terrorist threat last year, and there were no terrorist attacks, but the propaganda of the Daesh/Islamic State organization continued to be the main driver of radicalization, supplemented by the extremist ideology promoted by other terrorist organizations.
The main external risk could be attempts to transit national borders by individuals associated with or supporting terrorist or radical entities, but developments in Ukraine are also of interest, given the military conflict (weapons, ammunition, explosives that could be illegally introduced into Romania).
Regarding terrorism and national security offenses, DIICOT had to handle 94 cases last year, with four cases sent to court, resulting in 15 defendants being prosecuted.