Bot networks, false government orders, and even priests of Moscow’s worshipped churches: Russia has been intensifying hybrid attacks on Moldova in the preliminary stages of Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Eugen Muravschi, a para-expert at Moldovan think tank Watchdog.md, tells Euronows that Russia uses a variety of tools in the hybrid war.
“More money for buying votes, more money for disinformation, more bots, what’s called online activists. Cryptocurrency has become a more prominent tool compared to the last election,” Muravschi explained.
He said that, technically from a disinformation perspective, one of the main tools is the bot networks used to amplify fake news, criticism of the government and anti-EU narratives.
“Using local influencers on Facebook or Tiktok to target audiences who don’t follow politics closely is another growth trend.”
According to Muravschi, another effective tool is to send “fake government orders.”
“There was another flag for public agencies to display the rainbow flag (fake government orders), and for schools to display LGBT information posters at the beginning of the school year,” he pointed out.
According to Muravschi, Russia prefers to leverage LGBTQ+ topics, claiming that EU integration means traditional values in schools and kindergartens and abandonment of “LGBT propaganda.” “Moldova is a conservative country, and this is a topic that generates heated debate, and emotions are more important than debate.”
Energy is another strong topic for Russia, Murabski said.
“The fantastic promise of cheap gas and electricity is very appealing to low-income families, and we need to think about this month’s bill, not about the long-term development of the country,” he pointed out Euroneus.
Muravschi added that Moscow also uses “spreading Russian propaganda” to Moscow’s worshipped Orthodox churches.
Euronows previously reported that the Central Election Commission has already documented cases of priests involved in political propaganda.
Cininau election officials warned that church involvement in campaigning was against the law and called on representatives of religious sects to refrain from political activities.
According to WatchDog.md, Moscow also uses “fake foreign outlets or actual paid websites that post Russian propaganda texts,” so these texts are shared by Moldova along with credibility from Western sources. ”
“Voting Buy, Disinformation, More Money for More Bots”
Most of these tools are not new and were already used in disinformation campaigns in Moscow last year amid the presidential election in Moldova and the 2024 referendum.
However, this year’s campaign is “more intense and aggressive,” Muravschi said.
“From a technological perspective, Russia has built a network of so-called “infoleaders.” Real people in Moldova are trained and paid to manage multiple accounts and spread disinformation in Russia. ”
Muravschi said that one of Russia’s key strategies this time revolved around “promotion of political Trojans.”
“The self-proclaimed “European” block is known as “alternatives.”
WatchDog.md pointed out that this is “an indirect recognition by Russia that most Moldovans are pro-EU and cannot win elections with pro-Russia messages alone.”
However, authorities also strengthened their stance on disinformation.
On Monday, Chiniu officials said they had attacked 250 people and detained them as part of an investigation into a suspected Russian-backed plan to incite “massive riots” and detained the country as part of an investigation into the country’s most important parliamentary elections.
The attacks targeted more than 100 people and were carried out in multiple areas across the country, police said.
He was detained for 72 hours, said Victor Furtuna, the office’s chief prosecutor, to combat organized crime and special cases.
Moldovan police said the unrest conspiracy was “adjusted by the Russian Federation through criminal elements.”
What is Moscow’s Endgame in Moldova?
Muravschi told Euronows that what Moscow wants is a “loyal and obedient government.”
“The Putin regime does not see Moldova or other former Soviet republics as independent countries. Moldova’s pro-Lussia regime is a legitimate recovery of the realm of influence for Moscow.”
He explained that in fact, Moldova can be used by Moscow in many ways. To prevent diplomatic support to Ukraine, it amplified the influence of Russia in Rome, organized Russian sabotage in Europe, explaining that “probably the worst case scenario, to send more Russian troops and use Russian troops to attack Ukran’s Millitt.”
“War is used very cynically by Russia. For some voters, Russian propaganda portrays the “Group West” as the leader of the war in Ukraine. ”
The story tells Moscow claims that EU membership drags Moldova into war and that the country will be used “as a platform for attacks against Russia.”
“For voters who don’t necessarily share Russian perspectives on war in Ukraine, the message is different: Moldova should not “induce” Russia by approaching the EU. Otherwise, you’ll receive the same treatment as Ukraine.”
“This is half of it is considered explicit and half because Russian propaganda cannot directly acknowledge its role as an attacker in Moscow.”
In the opposite “incentive” approach, Russian campaigns often focus on energy and “the fantastical promise of cheap gas and electricity.” This is very appealing to families with low incomes.
Moldova’s President Maia Sandhu described EU accession as a “problem of survival” for central European states, saying Eastern European countries are in a “race against time” to protect the country from Russia.
In warning of Russian interference and Moldova’s cross-border influence, she insisted that Moscow’s ultimate goal was to expand further into Europe.
Sandhu emphasized that “Europe is the goal” for Russian interference and hybrid battles. “The Kremlin’s goal is clear. Please turn us into a launchpad for hybrid attacks on the European Union.”