Romania’s intelligence service said it prevented sabotage and detained a Russian man

The country’s intelligence service said that the 40-year-old Russian had been living in Romania and had been under surveillance since February as part of an investigation involving international partners. Romanian authorities suspect him of photographing and filming military facilities in the NATO country bordering Ukraine in preparation for sabotage on Moscow’s orders.

According to investigators, the case involves an intermediary who gave the detainee instructions on which strategically important sites needed to be filmed. Among them, according to Bucharest, were Ukrainian Antonov cargo planes while they were in Romania.

The investigation also believes that the man photographed NATO equipment at several military bases, including in the country’s capital, and recorded the movement of personnel and military hardware. The intelligence service said the alleged incidents date from February to July 2026.

The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion with the court to place the detainee in custody for 30 days. Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement in sabotage, and the Russian embassy in Bucharest did not immediately respond on Tuesday to a request for comment.

Sources

• Radio Liberty