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“Putin’s Russia means war and death.”
The Kremlin has been accused of spreading lies about Moldova’s government, European diplomats and the war in Ukraine. Source: Getty / Dogukan Keskinkilic
But her Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) could lose its majority in upcoming parliamentary elections, with polls suggesting the Russia-friendly Patriotic Bloc is on the rise.
Russia’s disinformation onslaught
Watchdog has uncovered a vast network of social media profiles, some run by real people under false identities, others a mix of automated and human activity.
“The intensity, the quantity, the spread, the formats, channels, topics, everything from AI-generated content to top political parties repeating and amplifying Russian narratives here.”
Russia has been accused of waging a disinformation campaign in Moldova. Source: Getty / Sefa Karacan
It’s not just about the digital space.
The Kremlin denied any involvement, but investigators think otherwise.
Moldovan oligarch and Kremlin-aligned fugitive Ilan Shor. Source: AAP, SIPA USA / Erik Romanenko
“Our estimation is that last year Russia spent here at least 150 million euros ($265 million) for this interference,” Paşa said.
At the headquarters of the Socialist Party, the bloc’s biggest member, its star candidate denied the claims.
Olga Cebotari, the star candidate of the Socialist Party, denies her party takes money from Russia. Source: SBS News
“You ask about finances, we have a central electoral commission. I cannot imagine how Russia could send us money,” Olga Cebotari said.
But they refuse to blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for his war next door, citing Moldova’s neutrality, which is written into its constitution.
Moldovan president Maia Sandu, re-elected last year, is a firm supporter of plans to join the European Union. Source: Getty / Leon Neal
It’s a view shared widely in Gagauzia, an autonomous region of Moldova, where Russian is the predominant spoken language.
Despite the area having received significant EU funds, pro-Russian parties dominate the vote in the region.
‘They would never start a war’
“As far as I know, Russians are good, kind people. They would never start a war. When did Russia start a war? When did they bomb someone? Tell me,” she said.
That’s a Kremlin talking point and one heard a lot here. Many believe Russia has a right to its former territory.
Moldovan journalist Mihail Sirkeli said many believed Russia had a right to Moldova’s land. Source: SBS News
“Lots of people believe that Russia should own this land,” Gagauzian journalist Mihail Sirkeli said.
“The Soviet Union collapsed, but people continued to watch Russian television. We were too dumb to understand that this is a weapon and Russia will weaponise it. We understood it very late, and before we understood it, they already weaponised the people.”
‘Concerned is not the right word. I’m terrified’
“Now our task is to promote it as well because everyone knows about [Australian wines] Yellow Tail or Penfolds, but nobody knows yet about a good Moldovan wine.”
Winemaker Ion Luca fears losing access to European markets if Moldova aligns itself with Russia. Source: SBS News
Russia and former Soviet states were once the biggest buyers, but that has changed over the past decade and accelerated once the war began.
Even worse, they fear Moldova could get dragged into a conflict it has sought to avoid.
PAS member Radu Marian said the Kremlin was trying to install a pro-Russian government in Moldova. Source: SBS News
“They are trying to install a pro-Russian government in Moldova to use our country in their war aims to try to pressure [Ukrainian sea port] Odesa, to use our airport, our infrastructure,” claims Radu Marian, a PAS politician running for re-election.
