The plot, finalized in spring and coordinated from President Vladimir Putin’s executive office, plans to erode support for the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) ahead of the Sept. 28 vote, the Bloomberg news agency reported on Sunday, citing internal Kremlin documents. Election battleground between Europe and Russia Situated between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has become a key battleground between pro-EU and pro-Russian forces. With a population of just 2.4 million, a narrow referendum victory last year in favor of EU membership was already marred by allegations of Kremlin interference. According to Bloomberg, Russia’s tactics included recruiting Moldovans abroad to vote, staging disruptive protests, spreading disinformation on social media, and using compromising material to pressure officials. European officials cited by Bloomberg said it was “almost certain” Moscow intended to act, though the outlet could not verify if the plan was underway. The Kremlin did not comment but has repeatedly denied meddling in foreign elections. Moldova pushes back against Russian influence Authorities in Moldova’s capital Chișinău have blocked hundreds of TikTok accounts and seized cash allegedly destined for vote-buying. On September 16, police said they confiscated 5 million lei ($302,000) in raids on suspected money-laundering networks. “The Kremlin’s goal is clear: to capture Moldova through the ballot box … and to turn us into a launchpad for hybrid attacks on the European Union,” Sandu told EU lawmakers on September 9.
Situated between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has become a key battleground between pro-EU and pro-Russian forces. Photo: WikiCommons/Pudelek
