SOVIET ESPIONAGE ACTIONS AGAINST ROMANIA IN THE FIRST INTERWAR DECADE. THE CASE STUDY OF GENERAL LUDOVIC MIRCESCU
SOVIET ESPIONAGE ACTIONS AGAINST ROMANIA IN THE FIRST INTERWAR DECADE. THE CASE STUDY OF GENERAL LUDOVIC MIRCESCU

Summary/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.

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