Russia has developed a multi-pronged strategy to interfere in Moldova's parliamentary elections on September 28, with the aim of undermining the chances of President Maia Sandu's pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) and removing it from power, Bloomberg reports, citing internal Russian documents, News.bg reports.
The plan, coordinated directly by the Kremlin and finalized in the spring, involves hiring Moldovans abroad, including in Russia, to vote at polling stations in the EU and other countries. Moscow is also planning massive disinformation campaigns on TikTok, Telegram, Facebook and through call centers, as well as recruiting young men from sports clubs and criminal groups to organize violent protests after the vote.
Another key element is the use of compromising materials to put pressure on government officials in order to sabotage the election process. The campaign aims to create the impression of a competitive political clash while in reality scattering support for the PAS.
Moldova is a geopolitically key country between Russia and the EU, bordering Ukraine and Romania. The country began EU membership negotiations last year, and the PAS has promised to accelerate this process. Recent polls show that the party could lose its majority, which would lead to difficult coalitions.
The pro-Russian bloc, led by former President Igor Dodon, is among Sandu’s main opponents. Documents reviewed by Bloomberg show that during his term, Dodon used intelligence services to monitor political rivals, including other pro-Russian figures. Dodon says he has always acted legally and in the national interest.
Moldovan police have already taken action against alleged vote-buying and fake news operations. Last month, authorities ordered the blocking of 443 TikTok accounts, and on September 16, they seized 5 million Moldovan lei (about $302,000) in a crackdown on an alleged money-laundering ring.
President Sandu told the European Parliament that Russia spent about 150 million euros, the equivalent of 1% of Moldova’s GDP, to influence last year’s EU membership referendum and her re-election. According to European officials, it is “almost certain” that similar sums are also being directed at the current elections.
“The Kremlin’s goal is clear: to conquer Moldova through the ballot box, use us against Ukraine and turn us into a springboard for hybrid attacks against the European Union,” Sandu said on September 9 in Strasbourg.
The Kremlin declined to comment and denied interfering in foreign elections. Russia has repeatedly been accused of similar actions in the region, including in Georgia and Romania, where investigations have shown coordinated influence campaigns through social media and artificial intelligence bots.