Former Chief of Staff of Moldova’s General Staff

A recent investigative report by The Insider, in collaboration with Moldovan journalists, has shed light on the alleged long-term collaboration between Igor Gorgan, former chief of staff of Moldova’s General Staff, and Russian military intelligence.

Gorgan, who vacated his position in 2021, is purported to have acted as an informant for Russian military intelligence for several years, a role he apparently continues to fulfil.

According to the investigation, journalists gained access to Telegram correspondence between Gorgan and one of his handlers, Colonel Alexei Makarov.

Their findings suggest that Gorgan maintains his significance as an informant for the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, thanks to established connections within the Ministry of Defence.

The exact timeline of Gorgan’s collaboration remains uncertain. Sources within military intelligence suggest it could date back to 2004 when Gorgan served in a NATO mission.

His contacts reportedly included Vadim Ukhnalev, a Russian military attaché in Chisinau, and later his successor Igor Dovbnya.

The correspondence revealed discussions about various matters, including meetings concerning the “Afghan Memorial” in Chisinau. Dovbnya was expelled from Moldova in 2017 for espionage.

Makarov likely assumed control of the operation in 2019, with heightened communication observed from April 2022 onwards.

Gorgan provided regular updates on Moldova’s internal political situation and Ukrainian Ministry of Defence visits related to arms procurement, often meeting in cafes or during fishing trips.

Russian interests extended to monitoring Ukraine’s arms purchases, including efforts to acquire six MiG-29 jets through a UAE-based company, as disclosed by Gorgan.

He also detailed Ukrainian officials’ persistent requests for various armaments, particularly artillery shells. Gorgan lamented Ukraine’s extensive shipments, including weaponry, through Romania.

Further communications revealed Gorgan’s knowledge of Ukrainian attempts, facilitated by Moldova’s Ministry of Defense, to establish contact with the MEZON radio electronics plant in Chisinau, known for producing components for the “Tochka-U” missile system during Soviet times.

These and other messages suggest Gorgan’s continued network within Moldova’s Ministry of Defense.

Local investigative journalists have documented Gorgan’s proximity to the Russian embassy, capturing one meeting with Makarov. The correspondence indicates Gorgan’s alignment with Russian propaganda, often employing clichés about “fascist scum” and advocating for Russia’s intervention in Moldova.

Prior to the mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from Moldova in July 2023, Gorgan ceased communication with his handler and sought refuge at the UN Refugee Agency office in Chisinau, where assistance is provided to displaced individuals, including Ukrainians.

Gorgan’s career trajectory mirrors that of many Soviet-era military personnel. Born in Dubossary, Moldova, he underwent military training in Novosibirsk and served in the Soviet Armed Forces in Odessa Oblast. He held various military positions in Moldova and participated in international missions.

Gorgan served twice as Chief of Staff, briefly in 2013 and from 2019 to September 2021, during the pro-Russian presidency of Igor Dodon.

While Prime Minister Dorin Recean dismissed the likelihood of a military threat from Russia, citing Kremlin’s focus on the conflict in Ukraine, he anticipated Russian attempts to manipulate public opinion ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections.

President Maia Sandu expressed the government’s commitment to minimising the risk of Russian aggression while preparing to defend Moldova if necessary. Sandu’s administration aims to counter potential threats while advocating for Moldova’s sovereignty and stability in the region.

Image: mediafax.ro

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