An official report reveals the objectives of Moscow’s espionage in Romania.
The report indicates that Russia has been „the main political and military actor involved in all security issues in the vicinity. Military challenges have continued to be generated by Moscow’s actions to preserve and consolidate influence over the states in this area and to project its own geopolitical ambitions.”
The analysis appears in the 2023 report by the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) and consulted by G4Media, detailing the main objectives of "hostile" intelligence services:
- attempts of informational penetration of institutions responsible for defense and security, with actions undertaken to obtain information of interest;
- gathering information regarding Romania's measures in the context of the conflict in Ukraine, concerning national and multinational exercises conducted, allied presence on national territory, equipment and techniques in use;
- penetration of critical communication and information infrastructures;
- undermining trust in the Army and allies, in the decision-making factor, and in the capacity of the national military institution to fulfill its missions through disinformation and propaganda.
CSAT also addressed the risks posed by the ongoing war in the neighboring country on the states in the region:
- increase in military incidents
- cyber attacks of Russian origin
- possibility of Russian intelligence services infiltrating among Ukrainian refugees
- export of transnational organized crime threats from Ukraine
- potential attacks or sabotage against military transports destined for Ukraine or against domestic facilities for the production of equipment and machinery.
The CSAT report also warns about the situation in Moldova: "The reduced institutional capacity, the precarious defense system, and the prospect of Russian military aggression extending to Moldova have required maintaining a high level of vigilance and assistance towards the neighboring state. In this process, Romania has acted to support Moldova's cause internationally and to consolidate support from partners, as well as domestically to support institutional reform efforts in various areas."