Russia is intensifying its disinformation efforts targeting Moldovan communities across Europe ahead of the country’s pivotal elections in September, Moldova’s National Security Adviser Stanislav Secrieru told Politico on August 4.
“Russia and its proxies are now actively focusing their efforts on the Moldovan diaspora,” Secrieru said, warning of a renewed push by a Kremlin-linked network known as Matryoshka. According to him, officials have observed a sharp rise in propaganda operations aimed at nearly 250,000 Moldovans living abroad.
According to Politico, the campaign reportedly includes the creation of fake media outlets designed to mimic legitimate European platforms, which are then used to spread fabricated stories.
“The campaign is designed to demobilize diaspora voters—encouraging them to stay home—and to manipulate those who do vote into supporting a fake pro-EU force. Disguised to imitate the look and tone of legitimate European media outlets, these fabricated reports aim to erode trust in Moldova’s democratic institutions and sow confusion among Moldovan communities abroad,” Secrieru explained.
Moldova’s diaspora played a decisive role in the last national vote, largely backing pro-European President Maia Sandu, Politico reported. That election, too, was overshadowed by reports of Russian meddling. The upcoming vote is expected to serve as a critical test for Moldova’s Western integration path as it moves forward as an EU candidate country.
Earlier, Moldovan President Maia Sandu warned that Russia is orchestrating an unprecedented interference campaign ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections set for September.
Sandu stated that the Kremlin is financing multiple political initiatives designed to secure parliamentary seats for its allies. She emphasized that these efforts are centrally coordinated and primarily funded through networks connected to fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor.
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