The Ministry of National Defense (MApN) reports on Sunday evening two new misinformation attempts, on topics aimed at national defense and security, distributed in various digital communication platforms.
Fake News about the withdrawal of US troops from Romania Photo: MAPN
The first of these uses a so-called “MApN communicated”, distributed by the WhatsApp platform.
“The “document” is written in a form that tries to imitate a MAPN press release and announces the restriction of the movement of male citizens between the ages of 18 and 65, as a result of the establishment of the mobilization status in Romania, following a so-called recent decisions of the CSAT”, The Ministry of Defense shows in a statement.
The ministry categorically denies the authenticity of this document.
“A.This was not issued by the Ministry of National Defense and contains false and alarmist information, meant to create panic and confusion among the population. MAPN communications can be consulted on the official website of the institution. The real statement registered with the number 46 was issued by the MApN press office on February 19 and refers to a completely different subject than the falsified document”, Reports MApN.
“Regarding this misinformation, which continues the series of actions meant to increase the fear generated by the war of aggression that the Russian Federation currently carries out in Ukraine, the Ministry of National Defense will notify the judicial authorities, pursuant to art. 404 (2) of the Criminal Code – the communication of false information, which stipulates: «communication or spread, by any means, news, dates or false information or forged documents, knowing their false character, if by this the national security is endangered, it is punished with imprisonment from one to 5 years.”, Mapn shows in the statement.
False information on the withdrawal of American troops from Romania
The second misinformation action, distributed on the Tiktok, YouTube and Facebook platforms, refers to some “decisions” that would have been communicated by the US authorities about the total withdrawal of the US military dislocated in Romania, including the withdrawal of the Aegis Ashore missile dislocated by the US Army on the basis of 99 Devesel.
“This information is false and have no real basis. The military dislocated by the United States Army in Romania, as part of NATO’s eastern flank consolidation measures, based on the Strategic Partnership between the United States and Romania. The Aegis Ashore missile system from Deveselu also carries out its activity in the planned parameters, as part of the North Atlantic Alliance antibalism shield.”, Mapn mentions.
In fact, the US Embassy in Bucharest recently sent a message that it is emphasized that the installation of this system “increased security and discouragement capacity on NATO’s eastern flank. The collaboration between the American and Romanian forces La Deveselu demonstrates the power of our alliance and our common commitment to regional stability. By his presence in Romania, Aegis Ashore contributes not only to the protection of our allies, but also to strengthening the power and security of America”, The institution shows.
They are expected that such misinformation actions of this kind, which aim at national security and defense topics, continue in the next period.
“These handling actions serve only the purpose of maintaining a state of fear and confusion among the public opinion in Romania, in the context of the armed aggression that the forces of the Russian Federation take against Ukraine. We recommend to all users in Romania who use digital communication platforms to show caution before redistributing information on these topics, which have alarmist, sensationalist or who can generate panic. The veracity of this information can be easily verified from official sources“, Mapn said.
