According to documents declassified by Romania’s Supreme Security Council, the country was the target of “aggressive hybrid Russian attacks” during recent elections. Romanian intelligence reported over 85,000 cyberattacks aimed at compromising election infrastructure, altering data integrity, and spreading manipulative information among the public. (Source: Reuters)
The Kremlin finances disinformation campaigns, manipulates public sentiment through religious narratives, and supports politically advantageous candidates. At the center of this campaign in Romania is Călin Georgescu.
Social Media and Disinformation: Georgescu’s Campaign on TikTok
Georgescu’s campaign gained substantial traction through the social media platform TikTok. Investigations revealed that his promotion was carried out via coordinated accounts and paid advertisements, even though the candidate himself did not declare campaign expenditures. TikTok confirmed removing such accounts and acknowledged payments for the campaign.
Cyber Threats and Russian Involvement
Romanian intelligence also discovered that access credentials to official election websites were published on Russian cybercrime platforms. These credentials were likely obtained by compromising users or exploiting server vulnerabilities.
Financial Networks of Russian Influence
According to Snoop.ro, over the past eight years, Russia has channeled significant financial resources into spreading disinformation in Romania. One key instrument is the company AdNow, which has close ties to the Kremlin. This organization invested over €2 million in funding websites, blogs, and influencers who propagated conspiracy theories, anti-Western rhetoric, and pro-Russian narratives.
Exploiting Fear and Faith: The Core of the Campaign
A major theme of the disinformation campaign was leveraging religiosity and fear of change. Georgescu, a populist right-wing political candidate, positioned himself as a “Messiah” capable of rescuing society from crises. Through propaganda and the use of religious imagery, he garnered support from voters who had lost trust in traditional political forces.
The propaganda relied heavily on spreading pseudoscientific theories, promoting alternative medicine, and manipulating religious beliefs. AdNow-funded media platforms fostered distrust of Western vaccines, exaggerated fears about the COVID-19 pandemic, and criticized the European Union’s actions.
“Manipulating the thought patterns of religiosity and distrust is easy where democratic traditions are absent,” said Emilian Mihailov, Director of the Center for Applied Ethics. This framework formed the basis of Georgescu’s support campaign.
Kremlin-Linked Financial Backing
Georgescu’s backing was largely facilitated by Russian-funded platforms that created the image of an “outsider” politician capable of returning the country to “traditional values.” AdNow, which provided financial support for these projects, has close links to the Russian government. Its offices are located in London, in the same building as companies associated with the GRU and relatives of Vladimir Putin.
Implications for Romania’s Democracy
Russia’s interference in Romanian elections undermines public trust in democratic processes and poses a threat to national security. Supporting candidates like Georgescu fuels anti-Western sentiments and deepens societal divides. Through such efforts, the Kremlin aims to weaken EU nations from within.
A Broader Strategy of Hybrid Warfare
Călin Georgescu is just one of many tools Russia employs to achieve its goals in Europe. His support is not just an election issue but part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy aimed at undermining democratic institutions. Romania and other European countries must unite their efforts to counter Russian influence, ensuring transparency in electoral processes and safeguarding freedom of speech from manipulation.
