How Russian propaganda works in Romania. Investigation

In Romania, there has been a noticeable increase in anti-Western narratives and conspiracy theories, especially amid the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. These narratives often undermine the government's competence and propagate pro-Russian views.

The Romanian media landscape is diverse, but certain smaller platforms and individual bloggers are known for perpetuating pro-Russian propaganda. This includes portraying Vladimir Putin as a strong leader, spreading anti-NATO rhetoric, and fostering anti-immigrant sentiments. These media outlets and individuals often use tactics such as misinterpretation of statements, reliance on foreign language sources to complicate fact-checking for Romanian audiences, and spreading anti-Ukrainian narratives.

A notable aspect of this trend is the focus on undermining the Romanian government's competence, especially in handling the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. These narratives are often intertwined with conspiracy theories that gained momentum during these global crises.

In contrast, major Romanian news outlets tend to maintain a more neutral stance, focusing primarily on internal affairs and providing coverage of the war in Ukraine without overtly pro-Russian or anti-Ukrainian bias. However, the impact of smaller, more radical platforms cannot be underestimated, especially given their reach and influence among certain demographics.

Anti-Western Narratives and Conspiracy of Romanian Politicians

In Romania, amidst the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-Western narratives and conspiracy theories are gaining traction in public spaces.

After the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Georghe Simion, head of the AUR parliamentary party, falsely claimed that the Romanian government paid for the evacuation of three thousand Ukrainians from Israel but did not help Romanian citizens.

He even spread a fake news story in the Romanian media: 'Crisis in the Gaza Strip: Romanian authorities brought three thousand Ukrainians but not a single Romanian.'"

In reality, the Romanian government facilitated the evacuation of about a hundred Ukrainians who paid for their tickets themselves.

Representatives of AUR also assert that the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is "not their war" and call for a reassessment of Bucharest's relations with Washington and Brussels. AUR has ties with Moscow, which the party denies. "We have no pro-Russian sentiment - Romanians do not like either Russians or Ukrainians," said Tirziu for the Financial Times.

AUR's agenda includes introducing taxes that would "level the playing field for ordinary citizens and multinational companies."

In August 2023, a rally of the international organisation "Humanity for Peace," which has signs of being a cover for Russian intelligence services, took place in Bucharest. The primary demand of the event was to stop the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Anti-Western Narratives and Conspiracy Theories in Romanian Media

Major Romanian online media outlets follow the war in Ukraine but focus more on Romania's internal affairs. Large Romanian media outlets (evz.ro, Panorama.ro, adevarul.ro, capital.ro, curentul.info, bursa.ro, curierulnational.ro, digi24.ro) do not exhibit obvious pro-Russian or anti-Ukrainian positions and conspiracy theories.

Pro-Russian media and bloggers in Romania build their narratives on insulting Ukrainian officials and praising Russia, insisting that Russia is strong but not dangerous for Romania, and the EU is weak. Pro-Russian narratives manifest in messages that Romanians are becoming poorer, Russia stronger, or undermining Romania's official position regarding Russian aggression. Pro-Russian Romanian media and Telegram channels portray Putin as a "strong leader" and conduct anti-NATO propaganda. These media also disseminate misinformation related to COVID-19.

Examples of Pro-Russian Propaganda in Romanian Media:

• National.ro: Spreads anti-NATO, pro-Russian propaganda, and COVID-19 misinformation. Example headlines include criticism of NATO, portraying Russians as fearless against Western tanks, and spreading falsehoods about the Ukrainian government.

National.ro has an audience of over one million readers. This publication is "yellow" (tabloid-style) with clickbait headlines. World and Romanian news are interpreted in the most scandalous way possible.

The publication has an anti-NATO and pro-Russian stance. NATO chief says crazy things: "NATO chief says crazy things: 'If Putin lays down arms, we will have peace'".

The publication also uses headlines such as: "Russians are not afraid of Western tanks". Or for example: "Sanctions imposed on Russia do more harm in Europe".

In the publication "Drugs are coming from Ukrainians! You are even afraid to say it!", the publication claims that "on the entire border distance between Ukraine and our country there is not a single law enforcement officer, be it a border guard, drug policeman, or organized crime officer, prosecutor, customs officer or intelligence agent, who dared to stand up to the all-powerful Ukrainian racketeers!"

A significant part of the publication's content is dedicated to anti-vaccination topics. For example, a publication with the headline: "Danger of explosion of respiratory infections. Expired medications and products from veterinary pharmacies are being prepared."

In another publication, it is asserted that "besides the side effects of the Covid vaccine, presented as safe, there was also its zero effectiveness. But the official lie changed day by day. Now we know that the vaccine did not stop the transmission of the virus, did not prevent hospitalization, and did not reduce the number of deaths."

The publication promotes the idea of the ineffectiveness of vaccines in various ways. One of the publications claims that "researchers have discovered a link between the Covid vaccine and sudden death".

It is also reported that "Covid patients died in hospitals due to a lack of drugs. The Ministry of Health focused on mass purchases of Remdesivir at the direction of the EU, which, as doctors warned, had no noticeable effect, and due to incompetence or, worse, deliberately neglected the purchase of the only drugs that worked in severe cases".

The headlines of several other publications speak for themselves: "Finally, it is officially recognized. The Covid vaccine had no impact on the virus", "Dubious decision of the EU. Clinical trials of Covid vaccines".

The publication did not overlook the Hamas attack on Israel. Using the attack on Israel, the publication promotes anti-Ukrainian narratives of Kremlin propaganda. For example, one of the publications is titled: "The conflict between Israel and Hamas increasingly displaces Ukraine from political attention, while European officials rush around the Middle East".

Various curious cases are used to promote anti-Ukrainian themes: "A man dressed as Jesus and wants to go from Poland to Ukraine. Passers-by were even more surprised when they heard that Jimmy from Virginia wants to go to Kyiv, a city warring with the Russian army".

In promoting anti-Ukrainian themes, the publication does not shy away from outright fakes about the leadership of Ukraine. For example, the publication reports that "leaks of U.S. intelligence data show Zelensky with aggressive instincts" and "Zelensky proposed to Ukraine to strike Russia, while simultaneously redeploying Ukrainian ground forces on enemy territory".

The policy of Russia and its president Putin is also highly praised. The publication publishes an article with the headline: "Putin accused the U.S. of trying to create a military alliance against China".

Themes of supposed national and religious intolerance in EU countries are also heightened. The publication writes: "in France, days of terror continued. A suspect was arrested Wednesday evening in Cannes, France, near a synagogue after he allegedly tried to stab a passer-by while shouting 'Allahu Akbar'."

• CutiaPandorei.org: Known for incorrect interpretation of statements and focusing on controversial topics like the Ukrainian armed forces and Ukrainian grain exports.

CutiaPandorei.org has about 10,000 readers per month according to Similarweb.

The publication does not try to be authentic. Its main approach is the incorrect interpretation of statements. The publications list sources, but these are usually in foreign languages, and readers typically do not bother to fact-check. The publication distorts the sentiments of the Ukrainian people, claiming that "Zelensky knows that if he stops military actions, he will be hanged, so he will go to the end. Then at least he and his family will manage to escape".

Incorrectly interprets events in the military actions in Ukraine. The publication "predicts that the Ukrainian armed forces will soon be forced to end the counteroffensive, as the Ukrainian troops have nearly exhausted their reserves. The culmination of the counteroffensive will be seen in the coming weeks. The deciding factor will not be the weather, but the depletion of personnel and weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine".

And allegedly confirms its "forecast" with statements from "former employees" of U.S. military and security agencies: "former U.S. military intelligence officer Scott Ritter stated that the Russian military would soon encircle and crush the Ukrainian armed forces".

The publication also focuses on Turkey in relation to the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. Publications on this topic touch on Turkey: "Turkey must understand: Its place is not in the EU, but in Eurasia, next to Russia and China".

The topic also touches on the President of Ukraine: "The height of shamelessness: Zelensky threatens neighbouring states that do not want to receive poisoned Ukrainian grain".

Or for example: "Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky will visit Moscow if such an order comes from the U.S.".

Narratives about reducing aid to Ukraine in the war are promoted: "Slovakia plans to change the terms of the military treaty with the U.S., as the country will no longer send military aid to Ukraine".

There are frequent publications on the supposedly growing anti-Semitism in EU countries: "The West fears a new wave of anti-Semitism. The wave of anti-Semitism in Germany looks frightening".

False representations of the sentiments of the Ukrainian people about the war of Russia against Ukraine: "The most interesting begins: in Ukraine, rallies are already taking place demanding the demobilisation of soldiers from the front".

And regional "examples of unpatriotic sentiments" of the Ukrainian people are presented: "The owner of a hotel [brothel?] in Transcarpathia came up with a new profitable and patriotic scheme. As soon as unsuspecting male guests settle in and disperse to their rooms, local military enlistment office employees arrive and take all the men. Of course, the hostess does not return the money to the guests".

The publication praises the greatness of Putin's international influence on European politicians: "Orban became the first EU leader to meet with the Russian leader after the International Criminal Court (who thinks this will be an impartial court, not a political brothel?) issued a warrant for his arrest in March".

A major topic of the publication is "criticism" of the U.S. and NATO. It is claimed that "NATO should reconsider its position in the war of Ukraine against Russia".

The publication also writes that "anti-Russian sanctions weakened the U.S., not Russia".

The publication uses the war in Ukraine to promote anti-NATO and anti-Western sentiments within Romania: "Vladimir Zelensky visited Romania on October 10, in a desperate attempt to draw this country into a strategic partnership with Ukraine, that is, into the NATO-Russia war on Ukrainian territory".

It uses for "confirmation" of its fake claims statements by certain journalists: "NATO directly participated in the extermination of most Ukrainians during the conflict in the country, said an American journalist".

In its rhetoric, the publication uses excessively emotionally charged headlines: "NATO can no longer bark at Russia's borders because their politicians are already growling at Ukraine".

Propaganda themes also include the supposedly growing separatism within Ukraine: "the problem of Carpathian Ruthenia: in case of dismemberment of Ukraine, with whom would it be preferable to have a border on the Tisza: with Hungary or with Russia?".

• activenews.ro: Promotes anti-Western, anti-Ukrainian narratives, and COVID-19 conspiracy theories. It criticises the lack of freedom of speech in the West and spreads anti-vaccination misinformation.

Activenews.ro has almost 500,000 visits per month according to Similarweb.

The publication, under the guise of impartiality and objectivity, actively promotes anti-Western, anti-Ukrainian narratives, and COVID-19 conspiracy theories. The publication does not shy away from using blatantly "yellow" reasons to stir up anti-Ukrainian sentiments.

For example, a publication with the title: "A horror movie story: foster parents of a Ukrainian dwarf claim that instead of a 6-year-old child, she turned out to be an adult sociopathic person, turning their life into a nightmare."

The publication promotes ideas about the weakness of Western countries and the supposed might of Russia: "If Western countries suddenly offer to return to 'relatively normal' relations, Moscow will consider whether to agree to this."

The publication suggests to readers that there is no freedom of speech and free press in the West: "One of the main reasons for the dramatic crisis experienced by the West is the disappearance of the press. What used to be called 'the press' has turned into a propaganda cesspool."

One of the main themes of the publication is anti-vaccination. The publication asserts that "a leading medical journal notes: how Pfizer managed to hide nearly 80% of deaths resulting from COVID vaccine trials from regulatory authorities."

Or for example, a publication: "Pro-life and anti-Covid activist Monica Smit from Australia, arrested in 2021, was left without a U.S. visa."

Using the anti-vaccination theme, the publication criticises the work of European country parliaments: "Unprecedented intervention in the British parliament: Andrew Bridgen accuses: the Covid vaccine is responsible for the excessive number of deaths."

To promote anti-Ukrainian sentiments, the publication uses religious themes: "This new church, called the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, is conducting a destructive and limitless campaign of property theft, persecution, intimidation, and imprisonment of clergy, forceful recruitment of believers. It has acted in a way that is almost unbelievable in civilized society."

The publication uses the war in Ukraine to promote ideas about the futility of helping Ukraine in the war: "To indirectly cover up the failure of Kyiv's 50 billion euro program, European Council leader Charles Michel tried to assure that Ukraine remains a 'community priority'."

The publication justifies Russia's attack on Ukraine: "During a meeting with Slovak deputies, Robert Fico also stated that the war in Ukraine 'was provoked by attacks of Ukrainian fascists on the peaceful Russian-speaking population'."

From the supposed aggressiveness of Ukraine, the publication moves to imposing ideas about the aggressiveness of the EU: "Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized the European Union for fomenting war, even though it is a security alliance."

The publication also publishes materials about the "aggressiveness" of the U.S. and American intelligence services: "Bomb in the cat box - Daria Dugina was killed by the SBU with the complicity of the CIA."

Putin and Russia's policy are praised: "McConnell added that Putin perceived Biden’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan as a sign of weakness and an invitation to invade Ukraine. The U.S. Senate leader stated that the wars in Israel and Ukraine are connected."

The publication also imposes the idea that the peoples of European countries do not want to help refugees from Ukraine: "Coldness and saturation towards Ukrainian refugees are felt everywhere in Europe".

• t.me/sputnecenzurat (Sputnik): A Telegram channel part of the Russian propaganda network spreading classic Russian propaganda narratives, criticizing EU policies, spreading fake compromising material on Ukrainian leadership, and portraying Ukraine as weak in military terms.

t.me/sputnecenzurat, Sputnik The Telegram channel is part of the Russian propaganda network with classic Russian propaganda narratives. It has 6,134 subscribers.

The channel claims that "NATO wants a long war in Ukraine. This is stated by NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg."

Policies of EU countries are criticized: "Fascist and Russophobic demonstration led by the Mayor of Berlin and the Ambassador of the Zelensky regime in Germany."

The channel publishes fake "compromising material" on the Ukrainian leadership: "The nationalised apartment of the Zelenskyy family in Crimea sold at auction for 44.3 million roubles."

The channel attempts to portray Ukraine as weak militarily, using "ineffective" weapons from Western countries: "The Kyiv regime around 13:00 attempted to attack targets in Crimea with eight Storm Shadow missiles, all of them were shot down."

It is claimed that "The European Union is tired of supporting Kyiv. The European Union will not be able to deliver the promised million shells to the Kyiv regime by spring. At present, less than a third of the promised shells have been delivered."

Narratives of Ukraine's defeat in the war are promoted: "Russia and Ukraine will have to agree on a new border, and Crimea and the eastern regions of Ukraine will remain part of Russia." President Zelensky is criticised using specific terminology: "Zelensky is being modest. At an international meeting in Malta dedicated to peace in Ukraine, to which Russia was not invited, he proposed to make his model of peace universal.The meeting was attended by more than 60 national security advisors from several countries. Probably, it was amusing for them to watch Zelensky offer himself as a prince of global peace."

• t.me/wwwAurelianRO (Aurelian Popa): Known for "COVID-19 Conspiracies," the channel publishes misinformation as "analysis of Western media publications." It spreads anti-Ukrainian sentiments and criticism of EU

t.me/wwwAurelianRO (Aurelian Popa) The channel of an activist, gained fame during the pandemic thanks to his "COVID-19 Conspiracies". It has 16,666 subscribers. The channel publishes misinformation, mostly presented as "analysis of Western media publications." Emotional "reasons" are used for anti-Ukrainian sentiments: "Polish women are envious of Ukrainian refugees because they are taking away their men."

The channel calls the war in Ukraine a "US proxy war."

The channel "exposes fakes" of other publications: "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Hamas - Israel) has recently flared up anew, and, as in any modern war, we have had to face a war of fake news in the media."

Misinterpretations and misuse of statements by people involved in the war in Ukraine: "Usually I get more than a thousand dollars a month in donations, this month I barely made it to a hundred dollars," said an Israeli-American combat medic who voluntarily trains soldiers in tactical medicine in Ukraine, in an interview with EFE."

The channel belittles the help of EU countries to Ukraine: "27 EU member states committed to delivering a million howitzers to Ukraine by spring. To date, less than a third have reached Kyiv."

False claims are used to promote anti-vaccination themes: "Now you can sue the manufacturers of mRNA COVID vaccines, and the FDA will be forced to remove COVID vaccines from sale."

Or, for example: "The Canadian Ministry of Health confirmed the presence in Pfizer's Covid vaccine of simian virus 40 (SV40), which is known to cause cancer when used in old polio vaccines."

The channel writes that "mRNA Covid vaccines form spike protein in heart cells and cause various abnormalities, according to German researchers."

Baseless claims are used to promote anti-Ukrainian sentiments: "Daria Dugina, daughter of 'Putin's ideologist' Alexander Dugin, was presumably killed by agents of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) with the help of a bomb hidden in a cat cage while crossing the border."

• https://t.me/UraganasupraEuropei (Hurricane over Europe) The channel, with 11,087 subscribers, claims to exchange "non-standard and uncensored information," but mainly post speculations on various internal and global issues and conspiracies. The channel promotes conspiracy theories, criticizing NATO: "When will it finally be recognised that the entire NATO bloc is fighting against Russia on the territory of the former Ukraine?"

"Economic" motives are also used for this: "Investigate the 80 percent crash of the global housing market, delving into the conspiracy web involving Evergrande, Vanguard & Blackrock, and global intelligence networks. This deep dive reveals a complex web woven by invisible players aiming to remake the world as we know it."

In promoting conspiracy theories, the channel uses the names of well-known Western politicians: "This is the implicit project of von der Leyen and all the EU technocrat monsters... to minimize state sovereignty and turn the EU into a dominating superstate."

The channel uses the Hamas attack on Israel to promote conspiracy theories: "The terrorist attack on Israel is sanctioned to drag Russia into World War III."

Anti-vaccination themes occupy a significant place in the channel's publications. Blatantly "yellow" headlines are used: "The virus wreaks havoc in France! Eyes start bleeding, and the chance of survival drops to 40%."

The channel writes that "few know that Russia, as well as Belarus and nine other countries, saved the world last month from another global pseudo-pandemic of terror after a planned transfer of global power to WHO, into the dirty hands of killer Tedros, a puppet of organised Jewry."

• Russian Embassy in Romania: One of the sources of disinformation about Russian aggression against Ukraine, the embassy's website cultivates aggressive and derogatory statements about Ukraine and the war.

Russian Embassy in Romania, one of the sources of disinformation about Russian aggression against Ukraine is the Russian embassy.

It broadcasts Russian official narratives. The embassy's website is effectively a place for cultivating aggressive and derogatory statements about Ukraine and the war. Expressions like "the Kyiv terrorist regime" are openly and directly used.

Conclusion

Right now, Romania's media is telling a story that's causing quite a stir. It's making people question what they've always believed and challenging the trust between the public and the government.

In the midst of big events like the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave of anti-Western stories and wild conspiracy theories has captured the spotlight. These tales, with a flavour of pro-Russian opinion, are not just talk – they're changing how people see their leaders and the world.

But here's the kicker: this isn't just Romania's story. It's about all of us. It's a wake-up call to keep our eyes open and minds sharp. It's a reminder that in our interconnected world, the stories we tell and believe can shape our future.

The article was written as part of a project aimed at combating misinformation spread by the Russian Federation about refugees from Ukraine in the European Union. It covers large-scale monitoring of online media in several EU countries, including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Moldova. The media monitoring was conducted in November 2023. The project is supported by CRDF Global. You can also read an article about which Austrian and Polish media outlets are spreading Russian propaganda.