Moldovan authorities have issued a formal warning over what they describe as an extensive Russian campaign to interfere in the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Scheduled for 28 September, the vote is seen as decisive for the country’s pro-European trajectory.
Both President Maia Sandu and her national security team allege that Moscow is attempting to demobilise voters abroad and manipulate outcomes in favour of Kremlin-aligned political actors.
National Security Adviser Stanislav Secrieru stated that Russian proxies are focusing particular attention on Moldova’s large diaspora, whose participation is expected to be critical. “The campaign is designed to demobilise diaspora voters — encouraging them to stay home — and to manipulate those who do vote into supporting a fake pro-EU force,” Secrieru told Politico. He noted a significant rise in disinformation efforts targeting Moldovans living across Europe in recent weeks.
The Moldovan government has linked these activities to a Kremlin-backed network known as “Matryoshka”, which uses copycat media sites to distribute false reports, mimicking the appearance and tone of legitimate European news outlets. The disinformation is reportedly designed to confuse voters, erode trust in Moldova’s democratic institutions, and promote candidates with covert pro-Russian agendas.
President Maia Sandu, re-elected in 2024, has further alleged that the Kremlin has allocated €100 million to finance its operations ahead of the elections. At a press conference on 30 July, she stated that this funding is intended to support illicit financing, vote buying, and cyber operations, including targeted information manipulation and potentially the orchestration of violent demonstrations.
“The Russian Federation wants to control Moldova from the autumn,” Sandu said. “This includes vote buying, disinformation, the use of cryptocurrencies to move funds, and exploiting religious structures for political purposes.”
She also accused Moldova’s main opposition parties of aiding Russian efforts by aligning with external plans to unseat her Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS).
The accusations come amid heightened concerns over diaspora participation, which proved decisive in past elections. In the 2024 presidential race and concurrent referendum on EU accession, votes cast abroad contributed significantly to Sandu’s victory and to the approval of Moldova’s EU membership bid. In response, Russian operations appear to have shifted focus to deterring overseas voters, particularly in cities with large Moldovan populations such as Milan, London, Paris, and Berlin.
According to Omni (Sweden), Secrieru noted that the 28 September vote is a key test for Moldova’s pro-European government, with the diaspora vote playing a central role. Efforts to suppress that vote are seen as a direct attempt to shift the electoral balance in favour of forces that oppose Moldova’s integration with the European Union.
Sandu has also pointed to the role of Ilan Shor, a fugitive former MP accused of orchestrating a criminal group engaged in destabilisation efforts. She claims that networks loyal to Shor are offering money for votes and coordinating demonstrations intended to simulate public dissatisfaction.
Several pro-Russian Telegram channels and media outlets have already been shut down in Moldova due to concerns over foreign interference. Nonetheless, Sandu criticised platforms such as Telegram for failing to act on repeated reports about electoral manipulation and corruption on their services.
Moldovan security services have warned of possible disruptions on polling day, including staged protests or bomb threats aimed at creating logistical challenges at overseas polling stations. European authorities are being urged to monitor activity closely and ensure that Moldovan embassies and consulates are supported in securing the vote.
The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which supports continued EU integration, is currently polling ahead with 39 per cent support. However, approximately 30 per cent of voters remain undecided. The Socialist Party, widely viewed as sympathetic to Moscow, holds second place with just under 15 per cent.
European institutions, including the EUvsDisinfo initiative, have described the situation as a coordinated campaign by Moscow to manipulate the information space and weaken Moldova’s democratic institutions.
Brussels has pledged continued support to the Moldovan authorities in addressing hybrid threats and safeguarding the integrity of the election process.
Moldova Accuses Russia of Spending €200 Million to Influence 2024 Presidential Vote
