Romanian authorities uncovered and arrested members of a shadowy group named the 'Vlad The Impaler Command' accused of collaborating with Russian agents in a plot to overthrow the Romanian state. Key suspects met with a Russian military attache in Bucharest and subsequently traveled to Moscow, where they allegedly presented a coup plan to Russian contacts. Prosecutors allege the group operates as a militarized conspiracy with hierarchical structure and counter-intelligence measures. The plan included spreading online criticism of Romania's pro-Western government, infiltrating state institutions, and organizing a mass rally purported to cause a coup. The group's members were also photographed at a Russian Embassy reception. The case is part of broader concerns about covert Russian malign activities in Europe. Several suspects were arrested and charged with treason. The incident overlaps with political tensions around the banning of presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, a figure allegedly supported by the group but not proven to be complicit. Romanian prosecutors also expelled Russian espionage officers related to the case.

Romanian authorities uncovered and arrested members of a shadowy group named the 'Vlad The Impaler Command' accused of collaborating with Russian agents in a plot to overthrow the Romanian state. Key suspects met with a Russian military attache in Bucharest and subsequently traveled to Moscow, where they allegedly presented a coup plan to Russian contacts. Prosecutors allege the group operates as a militarized conspiracy with hierarchical structure and counter-intelligence measures. The plan included spreading online criticism of Romania's pro-Western government, infiltrating state institutions, and organizing a mass rally purported to cause a coup. The group's members were also photographed at a Russian Embassy reception. The case is part of broader concerns about covert Russian malign activities in Europe. Several suspects were arrested and charged with treason. The incident overlaps with political tensions around the banning of presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, a figure allegedly supported by the group but not proven to be complicit. Romanian prosecutors also expelled Russian espionage officers related to the case.