Author(s): Ioan Codruț LUCINESCU
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: December 31, 2018
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 19-20/2018
DOI:
Abstract
“World War I destroyed a world” were the words used by a known politician,
Constantin Argetoianu, in order to summarise the post-war reality. Even if only four
years went by, mankind was completely different in 1918 compared to 1914. Romania is
a good example for this situation, as it managed to fulfil the goal of taking back some
territories that were under Russian and Austro-Hungarian dominance.
In the post-war international context, Romania had to face a double challenge:
on one hand, integrating its new provinces from an institutional – administrative and
economic point of view. On the other hand, ensuring a normal state of security
considering that the eastern, western and southern borders were subject to Soviet,
Hungarian and Bulgarian revisionism. However, the greatest threat to the state’s
integrity is going to be Soviet Russia who did not accept the fall of the Russian Empire.
That is why, in the 3rd and 4th decades of the 20th century, it tried to destabilize
Romania through every means, including aggressive espionage against the defence and
security system. Although Romanian intelligence structures obliterated most of the
Russian espionage networks, there were failures as well.
This study presents the case of General Ludovic Mircescu, war minister in the
’20’s; a case which delivered a shock to the Romanian public of that time. The Russian
secret services, through a thoroughly organized action, managed to steal the Romanian
plans for a war against Russia (important military documents, troops’ position and
movement, military structure etc.) This “wake up call” led to an unprecedented
consolidation of the Romanian secret services in the following decade, with spectacular
results in the fight with the Russian agents.
Keywords: Romanian Army, secret services, Soviet Russia, interwar period.
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