A collaborative investigation into disinformation campaigns and influence operations.
Summary: Călin Georgescu defied all expectations when he emerged as the forerunner after the first round of voting in Romania’s presidential elections in November. Whilst this did prove a shock for many, one only needs to look at the possibility of foreign interference that prayed upon the social divisions and political disengagement that is currently felt in Romania to understand how possible and likely this was to happen. By using Osavul – an AI-powered information threat detection software – Andra-Lucia Martinescu et al provide a comprehensive review and explanation as to how networks that amplified the Romanian candidate’s profile across a vast ecosystem of social media platforms allowed the relatively unknown Călin Georgescu to rise from the sidelines of Romanian politics and take centre stage.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the individual authors and do not reflect the views of The Foreign Policy Centre.
Andra-Lucia Martinescu is both a scholar and a changemaker. She pursued International Relations at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), focusing on security and geopolitics. Her professional journey included research roles with think tanks such as RAND Europe, the Royal United Services Institute for Security & Defence (RUSI) and the Foreign Policy Centre (London), where she currently serves as a Research Fellow for the post-Soviet space. Andra was also a Resident Fellow with the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, based at Sandhurst. In 2018, she co-founded The Diaspora Initiative (TDI), a non-profit and independent project focused on diasporas, migration and development. She is also an affiliated expert with the European Global Diaspora Facility (EUDiF, ICMPD, Brussels) and a fellow of the Royal Linnean Society (United Kingdom).
Sorina Stallard – with over 20 years of experience in project and program management, Sorina has made a significant transnational impact through her work in civil society and diaspora engagement. Holding an MA with merits in Corruption and Government from the University of Sussex, she is the founder of DOR – Romanian Diaspora, a UK-based community organization driving active citizenship, cultural initiatives, and research projects. Sorina has played a pivotal role in safeguarding democratic processes by monitoring the integrity of diaspora elections and organizing anti-corruption protests challenging undemocratic government actions in Romania. Her efforts extend to coordinating European initiatives that uphold justice and the rule of law, reinforcing shared European values. Committed to fostering collaboration, she has successfully initiated and sustained transparent dialogue with public institutions in Romania and internationally, amplifying the voice of civil society in policy-making and institutional reform.
Alina Balatchi-Lupascu is a communications professional with over 20 years of experience in enhancing diaspora engagement. As the co-founder of Romanian Women in the UK and the creator of myRO, an innovative digital platform connecting Romanian communities across the globe, she has leveraged her deep understanding of diaspora dynamics to build meaningful connections between Romanian communities abroad and their home country. Combining her extensive expertise in migration with a career dedicated to communication and community development, Alina is currently advancing her research in migration and communications, further establishing her role as a leader in bridging cultural, social, and educational initiatives with global diaspora networks.
Mihai George Forlafu is a cybersecurity professional with over 10 years of experience in the IT field, currently serving as a Senior Cybersecurity Architect. With expertise in designing and implementing robust security strategies, Mihai is actively pursuing initiatives to further contribute to the evolving cybersecurity landscape. In addition to his career, he is deeply committed to community engagement. Over the years, he participated in conferences, panel discussions and forums, contributing insights on critical topics, such as the use of AI and quantum computing in cybersecurity operations, to advance a forward-thinking approach to emerging challenges. Beyond professional pursuits, Mihai volunteers and actively participates in initiatives that aim to raise cybersecurity awareness and foster collaboration within communities.
OSavul Data Team
Yan Kurtov is an expert in disinformation, and Foreign Influence and Malign Interference (FIMI). He previously served as a Senior Analyst at Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council and currently works as a Project Lead at OSavul and an Analytical Consultant for Alinea International. Fluent in several languages, Yan has completed advanced training in social engineering, FIMI, and strategic communications, earning recognition for his contributions to Ukraine’s national security. Yan holds a master’s degree in public policy from the London School of Economics and a PhD in Political Science.
Dmytro Bilash is a tech entrepreneur focused on building breakthrough products. Dmytro is co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Osavul, a software company providing AI-based solutions for information security and countering disinformation.
Dmytro Plieshakov is a Ukrainian tech entrepreneur with a rich background in AI. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of Osavul, a startup focused on countering disinformation and FIMI. Since 2022, he closely collaborated with the Ukrainian government towards the advancement of information security and resilience and implementing cutting-edge technologies for threat detection and data analysis. The technology of Osavul is in active use by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine and a number of governmental agencies. Apart from his entrepreneurial journey, Dmytro is passionate about AGI and the philosophy of mind.
Yevhen Popov is an information security specialist from Ukraine. After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, he focused on countering disinformation, becoming integral to the Osavul team, and assuming leadership roles in civil partnerships and research. Yevhen was the Head of the Southern Ukrainian Office for the International Renaissance Foundation (Part of the Soros Foundation). As a consultant and researcher, he collaborated with the European Endowment for Democracy (Brussels), Alliance of Democracy (Copenhagen), ZOIS(Berlin), Democracy Study Centre (Kyiv), and many others.