Internet users in Romania are increasingly encountering a wave of pro-Russian propaganda flooding their social media feeds, with messages promoting anti-EU sentiments and support for President Vladimir Putin. This alarming trend has been documented in a recent investigation that sheds light on the rapid proliferation of pro-Putin accounts on TikTok, specifically targeting Romanian audiences.
The propaganda campaign aims to provoke anti-European Union feelings and raise the specter of a potential conflict with Europe, positioning Romania as a potential ally of Russia. One notable post features a depiction of the mythical Balaur dragon, a national symbol of Romania, alongside a provocative message, declaring, “If Russia attacks Europe, I swear to fight for Russia! Our enemy is Europe!”
Previously, many of the accounts involved in this campaign supported far-right politician Călin Georgescu, whose 2024 presidential bid was marred by allegations of Russian interference leading to the cancellation of the elections. Newly established accounts appear to have attracted thousands of followers quickly, continuing to disseminate similar themes of allegiance to Putin and anti-EU attitudes.
Some posts suggest an unsettling notion that Romanians would welcome Putin as a leader. One such post quotes “Putin” stating, “Romania is a dictatorial state that follows the orders of the European Union,” claiming he would “have to release” the Romanian people. In a strange twist, some of the propaganda comments have even been accidentally posted in Russian instead of Romanian, further highlighting the disorganization of these campaigns.
In total, over 27,000 fake accounts that were linked to Georgescu’s electoral campaign have been reported to TikTok. In response to these revelations, TikTok has recently reported to the European Commission that it has taken action against several covert influence operations that sought to manipulate the dialogue surrounding the Romanian elections.