Russia allegedly used Orthodox priests in Romania to fuel protest against fracking in the country, according to the US Congress, which published a research on Russia’s influence war against European democracies, reports local Digi24.

The same happened in neighboring Bulgaria, with protests targeting American oil and gas company Chevron.

The peak of the anti-fracking movement in Romania was in 2013, in the Eastern region of Moldova. According to the US Congress, Orthodox priests were part of the protests, fueled via the Russian Church.

The Congress’ report analyzes Russian mingling in 19 countries, including via disinformation, cyber-attacks, financing far right political movements or using energy as a political weapon.

editor@romania-insider.com