Russia is intensifying a disinformation campaign aimed at the Moldovan diaspora across Europe in an effort to sway the outcome of the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, Moldova’s national security advisor warned on Monday.
Kremlin-linked disinformation targets diaspora voters
According to national security advisor Stanislav Secrieru, the Kremlin has sharply escalated efforts to influence the estimated 250,000 Moldovans living abroad, primarily in Europe, through fabricated news platforms and coordinated misinformation operations. These tactics are designed to suppress voter turnout among the diaspora and manipulate perceptions of pro-European parties ahead of the September 28 vote.
The campaign includes fake media outlets disguised as legitimate European publications, which circulate misleading narratives to erode trust in Moldova’s democratic institutions. Secrieru highlighted a new wave of activity from a pro-Kremlin network known as “Matryoshka,” which has become a central vehicle for these efforts.
“The operation is meant to demoralize diaspora voters, persuade them to stay home, and trick others into backing a false pro-European force,” said Secrieru. “These messages, though mimicking the style of reputable European media, are part of a broader attempt to confuse Moldovan communities abroad and undermine their democratic engagement.”
Election interference risks repeat of 2023 incidents
The September election is critical for Moldova’s pro-European leadership, as it faces pressure from opposition groups that advocate closer ties with Moscow. In last year’s ballot, which was also overshadowed by alleged Russian interference, the diaspora overwhelmingly supported President Maia Sandu’s liberal party. Mail-in votes and ballots cast at polling stations across European cities were crucial in narrowly securing approval for Moldova’s EU membership referendum.
Secrieru warned that this year’s vote could again be disrupted by Kremlin-linked provocations — including bomb threats at polling places abroad or orchestrated demonstrations meant to simulate grassroots dissatisfaction. “28 September may bring the same destabilizing tactics we’ve seen before,” he said, calling for heightened vigilance and international cooperation.
Moldova urges EU response to hybrid interference
Chisinau has called on the European Union to step up its defenses against Russian hybrid tactics, including coordinated action against fake news networks, cyber operations, and voter manipulation. Moldovan officials argue that Moscow’s strategy is not only an attack on their sovereignty but also a broader challenge to European democratic processes.
Russia, under the guise of pseudo pro-European political groups, seeks to pull Moldova back into its orbit and stall its progress toward EU integration, officials say. This includes sowing fear, staging artificial protests, and undermining trust in electoral processes — all aimed at reducing turnout among diaspora voters who typically back pro-EU platforms.
Last week, President Sandu said Moscow’s long-term goal is to bring Moldova under its control by fall. “Russia is escalating efforts to support opposition forces that align with its interests,” she said.
The Moldovan government now emphasizes the need for urgent international action. EU institutions are being urged to enhance joint monitoring mechanisms, increase cyber resilience, and protect diaspora communities from coercion. Without such steps, officials warn, Moldova’s democratic trajectory — and its European future — could be in jeopardy.
