Russia Spent €100 Million to Disrupt Elections and EU Referendum, Says Moldovan Official

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gerasimova stated that Russia has spent approximately €100 million attempting to disrupt the presidential elections and the referendum on EU accession, employing disinformation, destabilization operations, and voter bribery.

This was reported by Bloomberg.

Ahead of the referendum on Moldova's EU membership and the presidential elections—where President Maia Sandu is seeking a second term—Moldovan authorities warned of unprecedented attempts by the Kremlin to undermine democratic processes.

Gerasimova cautioned that the success of Russian tactics in Moldova could lead to their application in other countries.

"Our partners need to understand one thing: We are a testing ground for new methods, and whatever works in Moldova will be used in other nations," she remarked.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the pro-Kremlin government in Moldova is viewed by Moscow as a significant lever of influence in the war against Ukraine, particularly given the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway region of Transnistria.

"The stakes in Moldova are quite high for Russia—they want to keep Moldova in a gray zone," she added.

Previously on October 27, Moldovan police reported that they had uncovered a scheme involving hundreds of Moldovan citizens being taken to Russia for training to incite riots and civil unrest.