Romania: Dan vows to shield critical sites after Moscow-directed Brașov arson

Romania has long been a focal point for Russian hybrid warfare in Europe, but President Nicușor Dan now says the Kremlin crossed a line on Romanian soil. Dan condemned the Russian Federation for its role in a sabotage network that attempted to set fire to a local defense facility.

The Romanian Intelligence Service exposed the plot in late September. Agents identified a group coordinated from Moscow that targeted the Carfil weapons plant in Brașov. The attack took place on September 14, when suspects tried to ignite the grounds of the facility. Investigators suspect a Ukrainian citizen and two Belarusians of carrying out the arson attempt.

Dan described the incident as a serious violation of national sovereignty and security. He stated that no foreign state has the right to act in such a manner on Romanian or European territory. The president listed several tools Russia uses to weaken European democracies, including disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and influence operations in elections.

"Attempts to influence electoral processes, disinformation campaigns, information warfare, cyberattacks and acts of sabotage are all parts of the hybrid war that Russia is waging against Europe," Dan wrote on social media. He commended the intelligence services for uncovering the network and said Romania will act decisively to protect critical infrastructure.

The president said the country will continue cooperating closely with NATO allies and European Union partners. Dan noted an increase in Russian provocations across the European Union in recent months. His comments follow a series of incidents that he previously linked to Moscow’s efforts to destabilize the region.

Dan emphasized that Romania will identify those involved in similar future incidents. He stressed the need to protect citizens and key infrastructure from foreign interference. The statement came as Bucharest continues to monitor security threats from its eastern neighbor.