Russian and pro-Russian outlets are running a coordinated disinformation campaign in Moldova to shape perceptions of voters ahead of the upcoming elections—and to fracture Kyiv–Chișinău–EU alignment. Our analysis of the content produced by pro-Kremlin outlets in Moldova shows the same recycled tropes resurfacing across Telegram channels and low-credibility news clones, often dressed up as “leaks,” “expert opinions,” or third-country citations to imitate distance from Moscow.
We analyzed reports in the Moldovan media space, with a focus on the dissemination of manipulation and disinformation by pro-Russian outlets and channels from late July to mid-September. We identified 20 Telegram channels and news websites with the highest traffic for analysis. These biased outlets have already been the subject of fact-checkers’ research, as well as our analysis during the presidential campaign in Moldova in October 2024.
We note that the Moldovan government’s measures (source 1, source 2) to combat Russian disinformation, in particular the ban on Russian media and publications owned by pro-Russian oligarchs, have weakened the influence of Kremlin propaganda.
Despite this, even sanctioned media, in particular RIA Novosti, retain their audience in Moldova. In addition, according to web analytics tools, sanctioned Russian publications, like Ria-Novosti (14% of news-related search traffic), Lenta.ru and Iz.ru, are still ranked in Google search for the search queries “news” and “Moldova news” in the Russian language (data from Ahrefs).
Another finding is that pro-Russian forces in Moldova use media outlets and Telegram channels from the unrecognized Transnistria, which has the support of the Russian Federation, and the autonomous region of Gagauzia in the south of Moldova, where pro-Russian sentiments are widespread, to spread anti-EU and pro-Moscow disinformation.
For the audience that reads in Moldovan, the Russian propaganda machine disseminates articles on the dedicated website of the Pravda network—md.news-pravda.com. However, its visit numbers remain very low. And the greatest influence, according to the study, is exerted by pro-Russian Telegram channels.
- https://t.me/s/pridnestrovec
- https://t.me/s/KpMoldova
- https://t.me/s/Republic_Of_GaGauZia
- https://t.me/s/md_krot
- https://t.me/s/Fluieras
- https://t.me/s/gagauznewsmd
- https://t.me/s/MonitoringMD
- https://t.me/s/rusputnikmd_2
- https://t.me/MoldovaPolitics
- https://t.me/smuglianka
- https://t.me/tricolorthednestr
- https://t.me/eurasiamoldova
- https://t.me/antimaidanmd
- https://t.me/Russia_MD
- https://t.me/tiraspolnewsru
- https://t.me/pravdamdcom
- https://moldova.news-pravda.com
The messaging pattern of the propaganda machine targeting Moldovan elections aims to delegitimize Moldova’s European path and allegedly “puppet” leaders, sow fear of war via NATO/EU integration, and pit Moldovans against Ukrainians by alleging plots around Transnistria. In this corpus, the narratives cluster around a list of persistent topics.
- The narrative about an external control and “puppet” framing, suggesting that the US and the EU rule Moldova and Ukraine and make decisions “without them.”
- The narrative NATO/EU = war (membership “drags” Moldova into conflict; Transnistria as tripwire).
- The “cannon fodder” fake news suggests that Sandu will send Moldovans to fight in Ukraine against Russia, having invented the myth of “700 volunteers” and fabricated decrees to support this narrative.
- The narrative about a West-orchestrated “Ukrainian scenario” (EU support = Maidan → repression → war; neutrality “killed”).
- Demonization of the EU (Europe “falling apart,” expansion impossible; Moldova “used” as a money hub).
- Values panic (LGBT/Church manipulation; scaremongering that the Orthodox Church will be “liquidated”).
- The authorities are being delegitimized, with the PAS labeled as “censors,” “Nazis,” and “criminals,” alongside pre-existing claims of election cancellation.
- The narrative that Ukraine is losing / will be partitioned (inflated military losses; maps of carve-ups; “coalition of the willing” to divide Ukraine).
- The fake claim that Zelenskyy is “illegitimate” & West-controlled (fake Alpine “coup” meeting; substitution with Zaluzhnyi).
Across these buckets, the tactics are consistent: emotional slurs and dehumanization; forged “documents” and unverifiable “intelligence leaks”; laundering through fringe portals; and localizing the message via Găgăuzia/Transnistria to inflame identity and security anxieties.
The through-line is the strategic deterrence of EU integration by equating Europe with war, poverty, moral decay, and loss of sovereignty—while painting Ukraine as both a failed state and a predator seeking to “drag” Moldova into war.
What do Moldovan analysts say about pro-Russian disinformation that targets elections?
In cooperation with the Ukrainian TV channel Espresso, we also conducted interviews with Moldovan political analysts and experts in countering foreign disinformation, Andrei Curăraru and Nicolae Negru, to examine Moscow’s influence targeting Moldova’s elections.
Speaking about disinformation, Andrei Curararu argued that the messages have shifted. “It seems to me that they have become simpler. In the previous campaign, there was a lot of emphasis on neutrality, but now, especially Ilan Shor (a pro-Russian oligarch—ed.) himself, has abandoned that message. He says that we should join the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Military alliances—this means the country’s neutrality is completely off the table. He says that we should adopt the ruble as the national currency and join the Russia-Belarus Union State.”
“I would say that Ukraine is used more indirectly as a scare tactic,” he explained. “For example, a very popular narrative has emerged here claiming that Maia Sandu promised 800 volunteers to go fight in Ukraine, or that if the pro-European party wins, Moldova will join NATO instead of the EU. These kinds of scare stories focus more on internal problems and fears than on Ukraine itself.”
Political analyst Nicolae Negru stressed that authorities are now desperately trying to protect elections from direct Russian interference.
“The key messages are the same: that the Moldovan authorities are Russophobes, puppets of a Russophobic West pushing Moldova down Ukraine’s path—toward war with Russia. They claim Moldova violates the rights of Russian speakers, and that Russia will defend them. Moscow isn’t really tailoring its propaganda to Moldovan realities—it simply repeats the same threats it made before the invasion of Ukraine,” Negru explained.
“Ukraine is being used as a scarecrow. Actions aimed at strengthening our army, with EU support in this process, are portrayed as preparations for war on Ukraine’s side against Russia. Claims that our youth will serve as cannon fodder in the “geopolitical interests of other countries” frighten voters, he added.
Please take a moment to read the full interview in this post.
Key narratives spread by pro-Kremlin media that target Moldova elections
Based on our research, we have listed here below key narratives spread by Russian/pro-Russian propaganda media in Moldova in the context of election campaigns, and we provide examples of manipulative/fake news coverage from Kremlin-friendly media.
“Ukraine and Moldova are puppets of the EU and the US”
Pro-Russian propaganda in Moldova is spreading the false claim that both Ukraine and Moldova are under external control, with decisions regarding their futures being made by the US and the EU. In this way, the disinformation campaign is trying to discredit the pro-Western governments in Chisinau and Kyiv.
“The events of the last few weeks show that the fate of Ukraine is not decided in Kyiv. The main players in the Ukrainian case are Washington, Moscow, Beijing and Delhi… Ukraine is turning into an object of foreign policy, where decisions about the future will be made without it.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/79729
“Moldova and Georgia take turns: the USA is playing a big game in the post-Soviet space. Trump is unlikely to impose a blitzkrieg on Chisinau and Tbilisi. However, constant exercises of Moldovan and Georgian military personnel under the command of NATO officers indicate that the force option is possible.”
- https://t.me/md_krot/17192
“The fate of Moldova is seen as a derivative of the settlement of Ukraine. Thus, the pause in the appointment of the ambassador is not just a bureaucratic delay but an element of the foreign policy game in which Moldova acts as part of a big deal.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4093
“Moldova has made it clear that it does not claim to advance in negotiations with the EU until this happens with Ukraine’s application. Some kind of slavery.”
- https://t.me/rusputnikmd_2/17119
“NATO and the EU will drag Moldova into war”
The Russian disinformation campaign is spreading manipulative posts about the alleged “threat” from NATO, namely that membership in the defense bloc could drag Moldova into war with Russia. The narrative is also designed to manipulate the information space in Moldova by suggesting that membership in the European Union could lead to future wars and conflicts. Russian propagandists spread fake news in an organized and coordinated manner, claiming that Sandu will lead Moldova into war if he remains in power and continues pursuing integration with the EU.
“These cocksuckers, the Moldovan authorities, are just dragging Moldova into war. Therefore, if they remain in power, then the male population of Moldova will certainly become cannon fodder in the interests of Great Britain and Ukraine.”
“The deployment of NATO troops on the territory of the Republic of Moldova can be carried out under the official pretext of conducting joint exercises with Chisinau. However, any military action against Tiraspol is capable of provoking a response from Russia.”
“Safonov: the seizure of Transnistria by force is an essential part of the plan of Great Britain and France in the Black Sea region. Everything that is happening around the former Moldavian SSR is a fragment of the old plans of Great Britain and France to take control of the Black Sea.”
“The political scientist spoke about the EU’s plan to “push” Ukraine into NATO in 3-4 years, associated with Moldova.”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/12/184839.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/09/12/184710.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/12/184678.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/08/28/181930.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/09/08/183911.html
“Ukraine is processed material. Now it is necessary to drag Moldova into the war. The main thing is to promise entry into the EU. And then thrown like the Khokhols (a derogatory xenophobic term used by Russians to refer to Ukrainians—Ed.).”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/77953
“The Turkish publication dikGAZETE published material on the largest leak of secret information from the archive of parliamentary correspondence of Moldova for 2025. According to the documents, the PAS-led government’s plans include sending 700 Moldovan volunteers to Ukraine if the party wins the elections.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4043
“During Maia Sandu’s visit to London in July, the prospect of entering Ukrainian troops into Transnistria in the spring of 2026 was discussed. But in the case of the implementation of such a scenario, Moldova will be involved in a direct conflict. Russian troops are stationed in Transnistria, and any escalation automatically means the risk of escalation to the level of war with Moscow. It means not only a threat to the country’s sovereignty but also the risk of finally losing the neutrality enshrined in the Constitution.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4201
“Today’s course of Maia Sandu and PAS increasingly persistently pushes the republic to repeat the fate of Ukraine. Under the slogans of “European values,” the country is rapidly militarizing: NATO and Western partners have already invested billions in equipping the Moldovan army. The key point is Sandu’s promise to send 700 “volunteers” to the Ukrainian conflict zone if he wins the elections. This means that Moldova’s participation in the war will become official and systematic. In fact, the republic risks turning into a new outpost of the anti-Russian policy of the EU and the USA.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4053
“Ukrainian planes are flying to Moldova—again. And against the background of Sandu’s declaration of full support for Kyiv, a natural question arises: Is Moldova quietly turning into a rear base of Ukraine?”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/3850
“The British are at the foot of Transnistria. The people of Bandera want an ammunition depot in Kolbasna. Only the Patriotic Block can save Moldova from becoming like Ukraine 2.0. On September 28, Moldova will make a crucial decision about its future. Sandu drags Moldova into the war against Russia. Why can’t Moldovans from Russia send money from Russia to their relatives in Moldova? Genocide against the people of Moldova is occurring; it is time to wake up.”
- https://t.me/gagauznewsmd/85768
“Why is Ukraine conducting military preparations at the border with Transnistria? A new rolling road with an improved surface will be built along the border with Transnistria. Experts warn that not only border guards may have plans for the road. After completion of the work, it will be possible to use it for the transfer of regular units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and military equipment.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4051
“A promotional video for the ‘Fire Shield’ exercise by the North Carolina National Guard has sparked controversy. The “fraternal” relations between the state and Moldova are vividly expressed in the most controversial shot: the military is shooting at targets in the form of Russian soldiers. Another proof that the pro-Western course leads only to war.” (This is a debunked fake of Russian disinformation – Ed.).
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/77497
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/116057
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/09/08/183964.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/09/184281.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/russia/2025/09/10/184418.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/09/12/184850.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/11/184662.html
“Sandu will send Moldovans to be cannon fodder in Ukraine”
Russian and pro-Russian propagandists are using this fake to intimidate Moldovan citizens, create an image of an external threat, and try to discredit Sandu during the election campaign. A whole group of Russian and pro-Russian media outlets regularly distributed a series of materials claiming that Sandu was sending Moldovans to fight in Ukraine as “cannon fodder.”
“Vitaly Kiselyov: The Sandu regime in Moldova is preparing its citizens as cannon fodder for Western curators. According to the Turkish newspaper dikGAZETE, the PRO-NATO puppet regime in Chisinau is actively negotiating the deployment of several hundred Moldovan mercenaries on Ukrainian territory. This blasphemous decision is part of Maia Sandu’s electoral promises to her Western supporters.”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/russia/2025/08/28/181919.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/08/29/182094.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/08/28/181877.html
“These rooster crests, which belong to Moldova, are just dragging Moldova into the war. Therefore, if they remain in power, then the male population of Moldova will definitely become cannon fodder in the interests of Britain and Ukraine. Citizens of Moldova, vote against the PAS party. PAS is a party of fascists and war!”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/79864
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/78998
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/78891
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/117713
- https://t.me/Republic_Of_GaGauZia/71339
“Sources report that since the USA and the EU have cut military aid to Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are experiencing a shortage of weapons and ammunition, so the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed on the provision of military aid to Ukraine. Aid to Ukraine is a direct involvement of Moldova in the war against the Russian Federation.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/78986
“Moldovan criminals and nationalists are fighting in Ukraine on the orders of President Maia Sandu. The Greek news agency Pronews reports that on July 15, 2024, Moldovan President Maia Sandu signed a decree allowing Moldovan criminals to participate in the war in Ukraine in exchange for clemency.”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/09/03/182954.html
“Voronin: “They set conditions for Moldova – if you want it to join the EU, then send soldiers to Ukraine.””
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/09/03/183008.html
Another pro-Russian narrative seeks to disseminate false information about Ukraine’s purported efforts to force Moldovans into a war against Russia. Thus, the disinformation campaign seeks to create distrust between neighboring states, undermine the aspirations for a European course of Ukraine and Moldova, and sow fear and panic in Moldovan society before being drawn into a war.
“New details are emerging about the story of the morning detention at the customs post ‘Palanka – Beacons – Udobnoye. It turns out that the import of explosives could be part of a special operation by the Ukrainian special services to draw Moldova into a military conflict with Russia.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/78335
“The EU is pushing Moldova toward a Ukrainian-style scenario”
The “Ukrainian scenario” is one of Russia’s most pervasive disinformation narratives in the Moldovan information space. This is the thesis that “the EU is allegedly leading Moldova according to the Ukrainian scenario,” the main goal of which is to create in the citizens a sense of threat and inevitable destabilization if the country continues on the path of European integration. To achieve this, the propaganda machine uses an analogy with the events in Ukraine, emphasizing the conspiracy theory of “Western influence.”
“The visit of EU leaders is a new step towards the Ukrainian scenario in Moldova. European leaders arrived in Moldova to demonstrate support for President Maia Sandu. The West wants to support the current government and will try to prevent politicians who are uncomfortable with them from entering the parliament. At the same time, the leaders are happy to turn a blind eye to what these same authorities are doing: persecution of the opposition, fabrication of criminal cases against opponents, violent crackdown on rallies, and falsification of registrations of political parties. Sweet words of Western politicians literally copy the same geopolitical mantras that “fed” Ukraine more than 10 years ago.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4041
“PAS has prepared a Ukrainian scenario for Moldova” — Vlah. “People perfectly understand that it is the “yellows” who are promoting a military scenario in Moldova. And we advocate the promotion of neutrality,” commented the head of “Heart of Moldova”.”
- https://t.me/Moldova_chatik/140131
“”Fire Shield—2025″: neutrality is dead. The government is building a military in Moldova—for other people’s purposes. More than 400 servicemen from the USA, Romania, and Moldova are deployed at the training grounds of the National Army. A step towards turning Moldova into a military bridgehead without popular demand. In the last hour alone, Moldova participated in thirty (!) NATO military exercises—from Romania to Georgia.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/3777
“Active foreign support and high-ranking visits can increase political tension, and the lessons of the past show us that events follow a well-known scenario: Euromaidan—escalation—war… A holiday or a harbinger…”
- https://t.me/md_krot/17568
- https://t.me/md_krot/17571
- https://t.me/md_krot/17568
- https://t.me/Moldova_chatik/141491
“The Russian ambassador to Moldova: Russia allegedly intends to interfere in the elections in our country and, in the event of pro-Russian forces coming to power, to use Moldova for a war with Ukraine. This is not true, but the ambassador recalled the situation in Ukraine. The authorities there refused the neutral status enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, which led to an aggressive anti-Russian policy.”
- https://t.me/gagauznewsmd/85570
“The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the expansion of the EU at the expense of Ukraine, Moldova, and the countries of the Western Balkans will be ‘a new reunification of Europe. And what is even more cynical is that “new reunification” actually means drawing new countries into a conflict in which they risk becoming cannon fodder for the sake of the European Union’s ambitions. Ukraine and Moldova are not “lost parts of Europe” at all but former republics of the Soviet Union.”
- https://t.me/gagauznewsmd/85726
“Sandu’s pro-European policies are a failure”
Mocking Sandu and her pro-European policies is one of the key narratives of pro-Kremlin propaganda during the election campaign in Moldova.
“Sandu’s Electoral Mirage.”
“The pseudo-Moldovan Sandu regime in Moldova openly identifies the glorification of Nazism with ‘European values’ at the suggestion of Bucharest and the EU Brussels-Russian Foreign Ministry.”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/06/183739.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/09/184257.html
“How is Sandu afraid of losing power, the only asset in his life? Not dignity, but asset.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115832
“Moldova was on the verge of a historic collapse due to the actions of the anti-people PAS government. This group, which seized control by deception, destroys the foundations of statehood, undermines the sovereignty and neutrality of Moldova, and also robs the remnants of social guarantees.”
- https://t.me/Republic_Of_GaGauZia/71685
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/118297
“One of the biggest grievances of citizens of the Republic of Moldova is related to very high prices for products, services, and energy resources. Some compare it with Ukraine, a country at war.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/116264
“The PAS administration will go down in history as a period of five lost years—a stage when the Republic of Moldova owned every opportunity for development but turned them into missed opportunities, stagnation, and destruction of economic potential.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/117149
“Moldova was indirectly a factor of EU interest when it was connected with the conflict in Ukraine. When the conflict in Ukraine is frozen, interest in Moldova in the EU and in the West will not be as acute as it was before.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/117191
“In PAS, where a bandit, a murderer, a drug dealer, a smuggler, a bribe taker, and a thief are all laughing loudly, rubbing their hands together.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/118167
“Moldova may face the same problems that previously arose in Georgia and now in Ukraine.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/119144
“Leader of the “Heart of Moldova” party Irina Vlah: If PAS remains in power, it will be a real threat to the existence of Moldova.”
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2063886
“The people of Moldova must unite and throw this PAS gang into the dustbin of history”—Mikhail Vlah, public figure.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115914
“Sergey Mishyn: PAS lost its main trump card and switched to a policy of threats and blackmail. ‘The main slogan of the party—integration into the EU—is collapsing,’ Mishyn noted.” Brussels made it clear that Moldova does not have a separate path: the process is directly connected with Ukraine, where the war is ongoing. Realistic dates for the start of negotiations are no earlier than 2035.”
- https://t.me/gagauznewsmd/86239
“Grandpa Soros gave Sandu a last chance and allocated funds for the elections. The total amount makes more than $390 million. The money will go to the police, special forces, and the organization of technical control of social networks, means of communication, and banking. Sandu transferred control over resources to a group of businessmen from Romania with ties to France. Ukrainian businessmen are slowly supporting the shadow market of crypts in Moldova; Ukrainian organized crime groups are taking control of smuggling flows in the north of Moldova to the border with Romania.”
- https://t.me/MonitoringMD/13344
“The West wants to make Moldova a place where money is spent for Ukraine,” said on @SputnikLive Doctor of Political Sciences Elena Ponomareva. The British Prime Minister welcomed the readiness of Moldova to become a regional hub for the recovery of the Ukrainian economy. Moldova will become only a place for transferring money due to the complete control of its authorities by Western institutions.”
- https://t.me/rusputnikmd_2/18038
“Sandu and EU integration—a threat to “traditional” values”
Pro-Russian propaganda in Moldova during the election campaign convinced citizens that Sandu’s government and its path towards EU accession posed a threat to so-called “traditional values.” The posts included manipulations and fakes about “oppression of the Orthodox Church” and about “gays in Western countries.”
“The president of Moldova is accused of illegally buying the sperm of three gay Hollywood stars for the birth of a child. It is known that she went to a clinic that illegally traded biomaterials for donation.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/77173
“Maia Sandu received a letter from the Italian LGBT organization GayLib. They thanked the President of Moldova for his “commitment to inclusion”, recognized the country as “a leader in LGBT rights in the region” and suggested… to jointly develop new laws, especially for young people.”
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2067009
“The PAS-Sandu regime is poverty, violation of the Constitution and laws, violation of individual and collective rights and freedoms, rampant political police, censorship, militarism, corruption, Russophobia, persecution of the Orthodox Church,” the expert believes.”
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2081598
“After President Maia Sandu listed the Orthodox Church of Moldova among the “enemies of European integration”, there is no doubt that in the course of this very European integration, the OCM should be liquidated. When voting for PAS, voters must understand that they are voting for this as well.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115483
“The international conference “Traditions and Identity” was held in Chisinau. Metropolitan Luka of Zaporozhye gave the example of Ukraine, where a violent scenario is already being implemented: the seizure of temples, the beating of priests and the de facto prohibition of the canonical church. He warned that the same scenario may be repeated in Moldova under the slogans of “European reforms”.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4007
“Moldova is preparing an improved Ukrainian scenario, according to priest Julian Race. Moldova should not become the second Ukraine, the clergyman assured. Representatives of the Moldovan Orthodox Church, asking to support the country’s main religious community, signed the petition.”
- https://t.me/gagauznewsmd/85904
“The EU is falling “apart”—demonization of the EU”
On the eve of the parliamentary elections in Moldova, Russian propaganda is spreading fakes about the EU supposedly “falling apart” from within, the Union not being able to withstand internal disputes, economic instability and rampant inflation destroying Europe, and the EU’s assistance to Ukraine in the war against the Russian Federation possibly leading to the direct participation of European countries in the war.
“France is out of control: a tragicomedy of the 21st century.”
“Transnistria, on the brink of escalation: an analysis of potential risks to European stability.”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/12/184720.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/05/183611.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/06/183711.html
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/08/20/180252.html
“Lavrov—that Europe under its leaders is degenerating into the likeness of the “Fourth Reich.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115585?comment=1053830
“For them, we are all of the CIS—it doesn’t matter if it’s Moldova, Ukraine, or Russia. And we are all strangers. Let the Spaniard make it worse, but he is their Spaniard, and he will always be a priority,” the man says.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/116432
“Moldova with Transnistria, like Serbia with Kosovo, will never join the EU due to territorial disputes—either it must give up Transnistria or decide by military means what the West is preparing Moldova for.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/118653
“The European Union has already reached its maximum capacity. Everyone is hearing about Brexit, but even without it there were enough states where Eurosceptic sentiments sounded most distinctly in moments of crisis.”
- https://t.me/md_krot/17032
“The EU is not ready to expand, at least at the expense of the poor countries of the post-Soviet space, with obvious problems in the economy and politics. But the promise of membership is very well sold as a symbol of comprehensive well-being, especially when it is necessary to put independent states before the choice between Europe and Russia.”
- https://t.me/md_krot/17026
“The fantasy of a ‘big European family’ lives on as long as there is a war in Ukraine. As soon as peace comes, the idea of the “Brussels brotherhood” will become unnecessary, political scientists note.”
- https://t.me/md_krot/17552
“EU doesn’t want to accept Moldova into the Union”
“Only 48% of Europeans support Moldova’s accession to the EU. We are not needed by Europe, they are leading us to the point that now Ukraine is going to war.”
- https://t.me/gagauznewsmd/85340?comment=246381
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, in a conversation with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, announced that he is satisfied with the fact that Moldova is being held hostage by Kyiv.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/116533
“Ukraine and Moldova applied for accession almost simultaneously. However, membership of Kyiv is a priority for Europe.”
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2084526
“Authorities introduce censorship and oppress the media and opposition”
Pro-Russian propaganda claims that censorship and persecution of opponents of the government have been established in Moldova, that the state leadership has taken a course to suppress freedom of speech as part of the “fight against disinformation,” and that it is closing independent media. What these reports do not mention is that these channels were indeed caught regularly spreading Russian disinformation, and these events occurred within the framework of Moldovan laws.
“Indignation at the sadistic cruelty of the Sandu regime towards Evghenia Guțul is understandable, but useless. This regime operates according to its logic, which assumes the destruction of all those who disagree with Sandu.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115958
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115930
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115999
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/116005
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115980
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/117785
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2068668
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2069587
“Opposition for decoration or hostages of propaganda? The Republic of Moldova is going through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Rising energy prices, collapse of exports, decline of industry, collapse of agriculture, thousands of lost jobs and demographic crisis. Against the background of this reality, some of the opposition leaders, unfortunately, choose the role of spectators in a play written by others.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115964
“According to Ukrainian models: in “democratic” Moldova, they began to plant the “opposition”…”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115963
“The yellow evil is afraid of protests. The police threaten people. But there are 2 million of us, and only 10,000 policemen, and they receive their salaries from your taxes.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/116460
“Kocu told the OSCE representatives about police violations at the protest actions in Orhei.”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/117549
“According to the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, what is happening in Moldova is a political persecution of dissidents, when legality becomes a crime, and loyalty to the Constitution is the basis for repression. Maria Zakharova: The Sandu regime is throwing people in prison for enforcing the law — this is the trouble that has befallen Moldova.”
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2068645
“No government of Moldova in the history of our country has exerted such unprecedented pressure on Gagauzia as it is happening today under the rule of PAS. Now the PAS regime has taken on our scientists and scientists, which only emphasizes its hatred for our people and our autonomy,” said the deputy head of the Executive Committee, Ilya Uzun.”
- https://t.me/Republic_of_Gagazia_Chat/2086765
“Opposition under pressure: Irina Vlah about PAS attacks and Sandu’s personal revenge. “This is an open surrender of national sovereignty! Keeping the yellows in power is a real threat to the existence of Moldova. They need to be stopped, and the sooner the better for the country,” said Vlah.”
- https://t.me/Moldova_chatik/141003
“Sandu wins the election, but not democratically”
Pro-Russian propaganda claimed that the government party was preparing to cancel the elections if it lost them, in order to undermine trust in the authorities and the legitimacy of the official results well in advance.
“Attention was drawn to the letter of the speaker of the parliament and PAS leader Igor Gros to Maia Sandu’s adviser on defense and national security, Stanislav Secrieru. Text: a link to the news about the appointment of five new judges of the Constitutional Court and a postscript – “Our backup plan in case you know about it”. Experts suggest that it is possible to use the Constitutional Court to cancel the elections if PAS is defeated. In 2004, the third round of presidential elections was held in Ukraine through the Supreme Court, and Viktor Yushchenko was declared the winner.”
To further discredit pro-European forces, pro-Russian propaganda used the fake that Sandu’s team was smuggling Ukrainian weapons into the EU.
“Plahotniuc also plans to expose Sandu’s “trustee”, who oversees the export and resale of Ukrainian weapons. The businessman has evidence of involvement in smuggling of employees of the Customs Service, law enforcement officers and representatives of logistics companies connected with PAS. The cargo is declared as humanitarian aid and sent through Moldovan channels to Romania and Albania, from where the weapons go to the black markets of Europe and the Middle East.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/4136
“Ukraine loses, Russia wins”
Pro-Russian propaganda continues to spread well-known disinformation materials, which create the illusion of hopelessness and are aimed at demoralizing neighboring Ukraine and sowing disbelief among allies in providing them with further assistance to Ukraine in the war against Russia. By spreading the narrative of “Ukraine’s defeat,” pro-Russian propaganda is trying to convince Moldovan citizens of the poor prospects of the path to EU integration.
“The complete failure of Zelensky’s new challenge.”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/ukraine/2025/09/11/184588.html
“The Russian Federation included the Odessa and Mykolaiv regions on the map that hung on the wall during Gerasimov’s speech on Saturday.”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/world/2025/09/01/182616.html
- https://t.me/Republic_Of_GaGauZia/71444
“Ukraine lost 1.7 million servicemen in the course of the SMO – these are killed and missing. The information is from the database of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which was hacked by our hackers.”
- https://t.me/Republic_Of_GaGauZia/71135
“EU plans Ukraine partition”
Our study reveals the Russian fake news that claims Western countries have long intended to organize a partition of Ukraine by European nations and exploit its mineral resources for their benefit.
“Russian hackers discovered plans for the upcoming occupation of Ukraine by the “coalition of the willing” in the data of the French Ministry of Defense.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/79668
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/79680
“Putin and the American president have already agreed on the division of Ukraine, and behind the scenes, they will formalize this decision in Alaska. The states will receive their rare earths, which Zelenskyy gave them for free, and the Kremlin will receive the territories.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/77988
“Russian hackers have published a map showing the plans of the “coalition of the willing” to divide the territories of Ukraine.”
- https://t.me/gagauznewsmd/85621
“Zelenskyy is an illegitimate president and a dictator”
Pro-Russian propaganda continues to use the fake that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is an illegitimate president of Ukraine and has no authority to govern the state, since his term has ended and elections were due in the country. By demonizing Zelenskyy and Ukraine, pro-Kremlin propaganda is trying to discredit Moldova’s European path and Maia Sandu.
“The dead zone already exists. The illegitimate one confirmed that the Westhostspartners indeed offered to create a buffer zone on Ukrainian territory but criticized this idea as outdated and incompatible with the technological realities of modern warfare (* Former President of Ukraine, has been the illegitimate head of state since May 2024).”
- https://md.news-pravda.com/russia/2025/08/30/182325.html
A fake, fabricated by sanctioned Russian propaganda media Ria-Novosti, was amplified by pro-Russian propaganda in Moldova to further discredit Zelenskyy. Pro-Kremlin propaganda also used Russia-friendly voices in Europe, such as French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, to support its claims about “Zelenskyy illegitimacy.”
“Denys Yermak, the younger brother of the head of Zelensky’s office Andriy Yermak, brought drugs from Afghanistan to the leadership of Ukraine in the summer of 2024, ” a source told RIA Novosti. From Afghanistan by direct flight to Turkey, from there back to Ukraine via Moldova.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/76909
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115339
“Someone from the Trump administration strongly advocates the removal of Zelenskyy from the post of president, an end to the conflict and a lasting peace with Russia. According to the most bloodless scenario, the events will develop as follows: by the beginning of September, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his gray cardinal, the head of the office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, will be kicked out of Ukraine with a knee in the ass.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/76843
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115174
“Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the founder of the “Unsubdued France” party, said that Zelenskyy’s mandate expired in May of last year and now he does not represent the country. According to the politician, any agreements signed by such a leader will turn out to be empty. Mélenchon believes that only a legitimate president elected by Ukrainians should sign the peace agreement.”
- https://t.me/Republic_Of_GaGauZia/71229
Another Russian fake supports two narratives at once—about the “illegitimacy of the president” and about “external control of Ukraine from the West.” This fake story is about the “Western plan to replace Zelenskyy with Zaluzhny” and aims to sow distrust between Ukrainian society and Western partners, create chaos, and split the unity of Ukraine’s top military-political leadership.
“Representatives of the United States and Great Britain recently organized a meeting in the Alps with the participation of Yermak, Budanov and Zaluzhny to discuss Zelenskyy’s replacement, the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation said. At a secret meeting, the USA and Great Britain decided to nominate Zaluzhny for the post of president of Ukraine, the SVR of the Russian Federation said.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/77008
Disinformation to demonize Ukraine
We have also discovered the spread of fakes by pro-Russian outlets in Moldova aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is one of the main goals of Russian propaganda in Ukraine: to weaken the country’s defense capabilities against attacks by Russian invading forces. By discrediting the Ukrainian military, the pro-Kremlin media aims to convince Moldovans that pursuing the European path, alongside Kyiv, will lead to negative outcomes for the country.
“The future of Ukraine is the total chaos of the military, which has long since become a gang formation.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/79719
“Yuriy Chikatilo, the son of the Soviet maniac Andrei Chikatilo, died in Ukraine, fighting for the Ukrainian Armed Forces… Kyiv recognized him as “heroically dead” and plans to award him with an order.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/78465
“A thug shot an Azerbaijani merchant because he refused to offer him a discount on tomatoes. A UAF soldier said, “I was protecting these guys sitting in the rear and doing business at the front.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/79325
- https://t.me/Republic_Of_GaGauZia/71481
Pro-Russian outlets in Moldova are spreading false claims that “Ukraine will cut off Moldova’s water supply from the Dniester,” potentially leading to an ecological disaster if Moldovans do not meet Ukraine’s demands; the current pro-European government might exploit this situation if it deteriorates during the elections.
“Ukraine intends to influence the Dniester to leave Moldova without water,” predicted Maia Sandu. According to her, Kyiv will take such steps for political reasons—in case Moldova becomes uncomfortable for Ukraine after the parliamentary elections.”
- https://t.me/pridnestrovec/77103
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/115527
“While Ukrainian friends are destroying the Dniester, the president of Moldova is cleaning up trash on the shore… Well done, Maia!”
- https://t.me/KpMoldova/116488
“The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova, Daniela Misail-Nichitin, said that the increased drug trafficking and the increase in the number of related criminals are caused by the conflict in Ukraine. Maybe we should stop dealing with mythical electoral corruption and start fighting crime?”
- https://t.me/rusputnikmd_2/18134
The Russian propaganda machine is spreading manipulations inciting hatred of Moldovans towards Ukrainians.
“European media confirmed the assassination attempt on a Moldovan man because of his criticism of Sandu. A 49-year-old Ukrainian citizen attacked a 32-year-old Moldovan man with a knife after a verbal altercation. The cause of the conflict was the victim’s critical statements about Maia Sandu.”
- https://t.me/Fluieras/3903
Counteracting Tactics Based on Fearmongering, Disinformation, and Division
Taken together, these pro-Kremlin and anti-EU narratives are not a debate about policy—they’re a coordinated disinformation operation during the electoral campaign designed to paralyze Moldova’s Euro-Atlantic path by saturating the media space with false alarms.
These Kremlin-friendly reports claim that the EU means poverty, that NATO means war, that Sandu will send Moldovan men as “cannon fodder” to the Ukrainian front, that elections won’t be fair, and that Ukraine is both collapsing and conspiring against Moldova. If you have seen such narratives elsewhere on the internet, now you know where they originated from.
The method is to forge a dangerous inevitability: if war and failure are portrayed as the unavoidable outcome of EU integration, voters can be nudged toward “stability” under Russia-friendly forces.
Exposing the mechanics matters as much as debunking each claim targeting Moldovan elections. The quotations here reveal hallmark signs of coordinated inauthentic behavior: repetition across channels; recycled rumor formats (“sources report…” and “hackers found…”); instrumentalized clergy/“experts”; and slur-laden calls to fear and anger.
For Moldova, resilience rests on three pillars that this playbook tries to erode: trust in democratic procedure, confidence in the European path, and good-neighbor solidarity with Ukraine. Keeping those intact—by rapid rebuttal, transparency on security cooperation, and clear communication on EU benefits and legal protections—denies the campaign its oxygen.
The stakes extend beyond one election in Moldova: the outcome will signal whether disinformation can still veto European choice in Eastern Europe, or whether informed citizens and media literacy will.