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Romania’s national security environment has become increasingly complex and volatile, with threats that are fragmented, cumulative and evolving rapidly, according to assessments presented by the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) and reviewed by the parliamentary committee overseeing its activity. In a summary of its work during the second half of 2025, the joint parliamentary oversight committee concluded that national security should be understood as a dynamic process rather than a fixed state. The effectiveness of the state’s response, it said, depends largely on the ability of institutions to cooperate while preserving a balance between security imperatives and fundamental freedoms. According to the committee, SRI assessments point to a broad spectrum of risks, from cognitive warfare and disinformation to counter-intelligence challenges, threats to critical infrastructure and vulnerabilities linked to identity fraud. Cognitive warfare and disinformation One of the recurring concerns raised by the intelligence service relates to what it describes as “cognitive aggression” against society, particularly in the online environment. According to the committee, SRI has been asked to clarify how it detects and assesses early-stage threats emerging through social media, informal discussion groups, gaming chats, encrypted platforms and underground online networks. The loophole: how Romanian influencers turn fun videos into gambling advertisement Disinformation campaigns, the committee noted, have increasingly accompanied major public incidents. Following the explosion in Bucharest’s Rahova district and controversies surrounding works at the Paltinu dam, public debate was flooded with conspiracy theories alongside legitimate questions. SRI publicly warned at the time of indications of a coordinated disinformation campaign, prompting parliamentary oversight members to request the data underpinning that assessment. The committee stressed the importance of ensuring public access to accurate, verifiable information and of mapping the risks associated with cognitive warfare so that state institutions can respond coherently. Counter-intelligence risks and foreign influence Counter-intelligence issues featured prominently in the intelligence assessments reviewed by parliament. The arrest of a senior official from Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service (SIS) was described as a major security incident with potential ramifications for Romania, given the close operational ties between the two countries. Documented by SRI together with partner services from Hungary and the Czech Republic, the case raised questions about the complex environment in which Moldova’s intelligence structures operate, amid competing external influences. The parliamentary committee requested an evaluation of the potential impact on SIS credibility and on Romania’s own security interests in the short and medium term. In a separate case, the arrest of two Ukrainian citizens accused of preparing acts of sabotage on Romanian territory triggered public polarisation. While authorities attributed the plot to Russia, the episode also fuelled conspiracy narratives. The committee examined the basis for SRI’s conclusions and the associated risks, as well as the service’s preparedness to manage similar incidents in line with existing legislation. The committee also noted warnings issued by the head of the UK’s MI5, who has said that members of parliaments, universities and critical infrastructure are increasingly targeted by espionage. Romanian lawmakers asked SRI to outline its efforts to strengthen security awareness among those most vulnerable to recruitment attempts by foreign intelligence services. Critical infrastructure and economic security Assessments linked to economic security highlighted vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy and water sectors. The Rahova explosion and the water crisis in Prahova prompted lawmakers to widen the scope of their oversight, requesting comprehensive information from SRI on national critical infrastructure, associated risks and potential crisis scenarios. Special attention was paid to gas distribution and its intersection with broader energy security concerns, given the potential impact on communities and public trust. Identity fraud and internal vulnerabilities Toward the end of 2025, Romanian authorities conducted searches related to the fraudulent acquisition of Romanian citizenship by Russian and Moldovan nationals, a practice seen as particularly sensitive in the context of regional tensions and international sanctions. SRI informed lawmakers of the vulnerabilities such schemes create and the risks they pose to national and European security. Internal security challenges were also highlighted after the arrest of a Romanian citizen accused of setting up a parallel network of fake SRI operatives. While unusual, the case raised questions about how such structures can emerge and potentially evolve into serious state vulnerabilities. Oversight and proportionality While concluding that SRI operated within its legal mandate, the parliamentary committee underlined the need for constant attention to proportionality, transparency and the responsible use of intelligence capabilities. It also reviewed the completion of SRI’s 2020-2025 transformation strategy, legislative initiatives to clarify the service’s role, and measures aimed at strengthening resilience against hybrid threats, including the integration of artificial intelligence. Over the period reviewed, the committee examined dozens of citizen petitions and parliamentary requests, stressing that democratic oversight remains essential as Romania navigates an increasingly contested security environment. The full article in Romanian, published by EUalive’s partner Umbrela Strategica, can be found here . Caption: Romanian masked and armed riot policemen watch the empty street near Yeshua Tova Synagogue building (not seen) after an US Embassy terrorist warning was issued late 11 October, in downtown Bucharest, Romania, 12 October 2024. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

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