Russian espionage efforts in 2023 posed huge threat to region: Romanian defence report

7 months ago 28

Russia was the “principal political and military actor” involved in all security matters in the region bordering Ukraine, with attempts by Russian espionage to gather information from defence and security institutions, infiltrate critical communication and information infrastructures, and weaken trust in international and national institutions in Romania, a report by the Supreme Council for National Defence for 2023 reads.

The report, seen by Euractiv, which was submitted by President Klaus Iohannis to parliament on Tuesday, outlines the security challenges Romania faced that year.

“The Russian Federation was the main political and military actor involved in all security matters in the region,” as military challenges continued to arise from Moscow’s efforts to exert influence over states in the region, the document reads.

According to the report, the objectives of the Russian espionage included attempts to gather information from defence and security institutions, conducting actions to obtain information of interest, as well as gathering information on Romania’s actions in relation to the war in Ukraine.

This included information on national and multinational exercises, the presence of allies on national territory, and equipment and technology inventories.

Russia also attempted to infiltrate critical communication and information infrastructures, the report says, highlighting Russia’s efforts to employ disinformation and propaganda to weaken Romanians’ trust in the country’s army, NATO allies, decision-making bodies and the national military institution’s ability to fulfil its missions.

Risks stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine and affecting countries in the region included an increase in military incidents, cyber-attacks of Russian origin, the possibility of Russian intelligence services infiltrating among Ukrainian refugees, the export of organised crime threats across borders from Ukraine, and potential attacks or sabotage against military transports destined for Ukraine or domestic facilities producing equipment and machinery, the report added.

The document also looks at the situation in Moldova, a neighbouring country that currently faces reduced institutional capacity, a precarious defence system and the prospect of Russian military aggression.

In this context, “Romania has acted to support the cause of the Republic of Moldova internationally and to rally partner support, and domestically to support efforts for institutional reform across multiple domains,” the document also writes.

(Catalina Mihai, Sebastian Rotaru | Euractiv.ro)