Russian Propaganda Network “Matryoshka” Targets Moldova With Fake News Campaign

Russia has launched a large-scale disinformation campaign targeting Moldova, marking the first major operation of its kind against the country, The Insider reported on April 18.

The Russian disinformation network “Matryoshka” has initiated a large-scale campaign against Moldova, circulating misleading content on social media platforms like X and Bluesky.

The disinformation videos are stylized as material from global media or academic institutions and claim that Moldova’s President Maia Sandu won her election through propaganda campaigns.

The videos also accuse Sandu of persecuting political opponents.

One of the videos, purportedly created by France’s VIGINUM, a state service combating disinformation, alleges that $1 million was spent daily on producing and distributing disinformation in support of Sandu.

In addition to the claims of corruption and political pressure, the disinformation campaign spreads classic Kremlin narratives, including claims about Sandu’s ties to the LGBT community and the supposed replacement of “traditional” values with “non-traditional” ones under her rule.

Another video falsely asserts that Sandu intends to take control of the Orthodox Church in Moldova, mirroring actions in Ukraine and leading to the “final merger” of Moldova with Romania.

The campaign has released 10 videos thus far, including four designed to mimic reputable media outlets and six featuring speeches from so-called “university professors.”

One fake magazine cover has also been distributed as part of the effort. Previously, “Matryoshka” launched a fake video in June 2024, which was presented as a social advertisement urging tolerance toward people with disabilities and LGBT individuals.

Moldova’s Security and Information Service (SII) Director, Alexandru Musteace, had warned in December 2024 about the increasing risk of Russian interference, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by such disinformation efforts.

In related news, a Russian court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced five men from the temporarily occupied Ukrainian city of Melitopol to prison terms ranging from 11 to 14 years. The men, including a Ukrainian Armed Forces contract soldier, a combat veteran, and three others from the territorial defense reserve, were accused of creating a “terrorist underground.”

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