Rumors can spread like wildfire, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like national defense.
In Romania, recent claims that young men are being prepared for recruitment and deployment to Ukraine have sparked concern online. These allegations, however, are entirely false.
The Ministry of National Defense (MApN) has publicly denied the rumors, according to Ziare.
In a statement on its Inforadar platform, which focuses on combating disinformation, the ministry warned about manipulative narratives designed to create panic.
“Beware of misinformation regarding so-called ‘preparations’ to recruit young people for deployment to war,” the statement read.
Rumors on TikTok
The rumors allege that Romania is secretly organizing to recruit men aged 18 to 35 and mobilize reservists for Ukraine.
MApN firmly rejected this, stating that such claims are based on routine military activities being misinterpreted.
For example, images of military convoys, including vehicles used during the December 1 National Day parade, have been presented as evidence of war preparations.
“These alarmist scenarios, no matter how absurd they may seem, are heavily circulated online, especially on platforms like TikTok,” the ministry explained.
It added that some of these campaigns appear to be driven by state actors with agendas aimed at undermining Romania’s sovereignty and NATO partnerships.
Romania abolished mandatory military service in 2007 during peacetime, as outlined in Law 395/2005.
The ministry reiterated that this law remains in effect, and conscription can only be reinstated under extraordinary circumstances such as war, mobilization, or siege. For now, recruitment is entirely voluntary.
MApN also dismissed speculation that Romanian troops might be sent to Ukraine. “These periodic claims are entirely baseless and have no connection to reality,” the ministry emphasized.
