Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Moldova issued a public warning about the circulation of fraudulent summonses in several Telegram channels, urging citizens to report to military institutions for service. The Ministry clarified that no official summons were issued in bulk and that these forged documents aim to spread panic and give the impression of imminent military mobilisation.
Defence ministry links disinformation to electoral interference
The ministry stated the mass circulation of fake military orders is part of a deliberate effort to undermine trust in state institutions ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28, 2025. Officials urged citizens to rely exclusively on official sources and remain vigilant against disinformation campaigns designed to destabilise public confidence. Earlier in August, the ministry had also warned about fabricated videos circulating on Telegram depicting falsified scenes from military exercises “Fire Shield” held in Moldova between August 4 and 18, blending AI-generated imagery and unrelated archival footage to simulate attacks on Russian forces.
UK warns of Russian interference in Moldova’s elections
On the same day, the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom warned that Russia is conducting an extensive campaign of interference targeting Moldova’s upcoming elections to strengthen Moscow’s influence. According to British officials, disinformation is being spread across mainstream and social media platforms, including BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, and X. The campaign includes false accusations of corruption and election fraud against the Moldovan government, claims that European partners are undermining Moldova’s security, and narratives challenging the legitimacy of the vote, particularly if the ruling Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) retains a parliamentary majority.
Moscow’s strategic goals and regional implications
Experts warn that Moscow is deploying substantial organisational and financial resources — estimated at €200 million — to advance pro-Russian political forces in Chisinau. The Kremlin’s objective is to halt Moldova’s European integration and pivot the country towards Russia. Analysts stress that such a shift would turn Moldova into an anti-Western outpost in Eastern Europe, while also enabling potential Russian military operations from Moldovan territory, particularly given the presence of Russian forces in the separatist region of Transnistria. The stakes are high for the region: maintaining Moldova’s European path is seen as a key factor in countering Russia’s neo-imperial ambitions in Eastern Europe.
