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Russia Gears Up to Rig Moldova’s Elections for Pro-Kremlin Forces, Bloomberg Reports
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Russia has devised a plan to interfere in Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary elections in an effort to derail the country’s path toward European Union integration, Bloomberg reported on September 22, citing documents obtained by the outlet.
According to the files, the Kremlin approved the strategy earlier this spring. The plan seeks to undermine the chances of President Maia Sandu’s Action and Solidarity party in the September 28 vote, with the ultimate goal of unseating Sandu and bringing pro-Russian forces to power.
Moldova, situated between Ukraine and Romania, has become a key battleground in the region’s geopolitical struggle between pro-European and pro-Russian political forces, Bloomberg wrote. A year ago, the country held a referendum on EU membership, an event already marred by accusations of Russian interference.
The documents show Moscow is prepared to deploy a wide range of tactics: recruiting Moldovans abroad to vote at polling stations, staging protests, and running a large-scale disinformation campaign on social media. The Kremlin’s plans also include using compromising materials to pressure officials and disrupting the work of election bodies, while spreading falsehoods through Telegram, TikTok, Facebook, and even call centers.
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“The Kremlin’s goal is clear: to capture Moldova through the ballot box, to use us against Ukraine and to turn us into a launchpad for hybrid attacks on the European Union,” Sandu warned Strasbourg on September 9, according to Bloomberg.
“That is why this election is very important. By defending it, we protect not only Moldova, but also regional security and stability.”
Moldovan authorities are cracking down on disinformation and vote-buying schemes. In August, police blocked hundreds of TikTok accounts, and in September they seized more than $300,000 as part of an investigation into voter bribery.
The EU has voiced its support for Chișinău. In late August, the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland visited Moldova, underscoring the importance of keeping the country on its European course.
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European officials believe Russia has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to meddle in the election. According to their assessments, the Kremlin’s strategy is not only to strengthen pro-Russian forces but also to create an appearance of competition in order to weaken Sandu’s position.
The documents further suggest that Moscow is counting on youth groups, criminal networks, and sports clubs to carry out violent street provocations on election day and in its aftermath.
Previously, Romania’s chief prosecutor Alex Florenta said that a months-long investigation uncovered Russia’s hybrid campaign against the country dating back to 2022. Four Russia-linked companies allegedly ran fake social media accounts and AI bots that reached at least 1.3 million people.
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