Moldova heads to parliamentary elections on September 28 under the shadow of Moscow’s growing interference.
President Maia Sandu has warned that Russia is attempting to seize Moldova “through elections,” turning it into a staging ground against Ukraine.
Evidence of Kremlin funding, disinformation, and proxy networks shows that Moscow’s hybrid war against Chisinau is entering a decisive stage, Espreso TV reported.
Russia’s Electoral Interference Machine
As Maia Sandu said in her speech to MEPs in Strasbourg on September 9, “The Kremlin is resorting to unlimited interference” in an attempt to subjugate her country once again. “Its goal, she says, is clear: to seize Moldova through elections, use it against Ukraine, and turn it into a springboard for hybrid attacks.”
According to President Sandu, Moscow has spent the equivalent of 1% of Moldova’s GDP on election interference. Pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor and his shell companies channel these funds to bribe voters, finance parties, and orchestrate paid protests.
Authorities have already carried out thousands of searches related to voter bribery and initiated criminal cases concerning organized demonstrations.
Read also: Moldovan experts explain how Russian propaganda targeted Moldova’s elections
Oligarch Networks as Kremlin Tools
Ilan Shor, a fugitive businessman, remains at the heart of Russia’s interference. His companies, including A7 with stakes in sanctioned Promsvyazbank, provide financing pipelines for pro-Russian parties.
Prosecutors in Moldova and abroad have also linked Shor’s network to fraud, money laundering, and sanction evasion.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office stated that, together with officers from the National Investigation Inspectorate, it had conducted searches as part of an investigation into illegal party financing. Charges include illegal financing and money laundering by an organized crime group.
According to prosecutors, party members of Ilan Șor, a Moldovan oligarch with links to Moscow, held accounts in the Russian-sanctioned “Promsvyazbank,” which supports the Russian military in Ukraine.
The politicians allegedly received payments in rubles ranging from 10,000 to 155,000 rubles (€100 to €1,500), which were converted into foreign currency to finance party activities and election bribery.
Disinformation and the “Matryoshka” Network
Russian propaganda targets Moldovan voters at home and abroad. Disinformation channels spread fabricated stories portraying Ukraine and the EU as threats, while Orthodox priests are used to amplify Kremlin narratives, Sandu stated according to the Financial Times.
The so-called “Matryoshka” bot network floods social media with fake news disguised as independent outlets, aiming to discredit Sandu and weaken pro-European forces.
Find out more: How Kremlin Propaganda Is Engineering Moldova’s Vote: Study of Key Narratives Targeting 2025 Elections
Targeting the Moldovan Diaspora
The diaspora played a critical role in Sandu’s previous electoral victory. Now, Russia is working to suppress turnout abroad through manipulation, disinformation, and logistical disruptions.
Analysts warn that the Kremlin views lower diaspora participation as essential for tilting results toward pro-Russian blocs.
Paid Protests and Sabotage Campaigns
Beyond media operations, Moscow deploys street-level tactics: financing demonstrations, stirring unrest in prisons, and attempting to disrupt diaspora voting.
Law enforcement has already detained dozens linked to such schemes, underscoring the scale of hybrid threats.
High-Profile Cases Expose Moscow’s Hand
Recent arrests highlight the methods Moscow uses to operate through intermediaries. Gagauzia’s governor Yevgenia Gutsul, faced trial for financing Shor’s party.
Furthermore, former Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc was detained in Greece on corruption charges tied to Russian-linked networks.
Both cases highlight how pro-Russian actors influence Moldovan politics.
Kyiv and Brussels: Moldova’s Strategic Allies
Ukraine has pledged to help Chisinau counter destabilization, noting Moldova’s stability is vital for its southern security.
The European Parliament has also voiced strong support, framing Moldova’s elections as decisive for EU integration.
Moldovan President Sandu emphasizes that European accession is the only guarantee for Moldova’s survival as a democracy.
Stakes for Ukraine and the EU
If pro-Russian forces succeed in the upcoming elections, Moldova could become a platform for Kremlin hybrid operations against Ukraine and the EU.
Conversely, a pro-European majority would reinforce Kyiv’s strategic depth and the EU’s eastern flank. As Sandu told MEPs, “EU integration is the only way for us to survive as a democracy.”
September 28 Elections
The September 28 vote is widely described as Moldova’s final attempt before deeper EU integration. Whether the country moves forward with reforms or risks sliding back into Moscow’s orbit will depend on the resilience of its institutions and the ability of allies to counter Kremlin interference and disinformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Russia interfering in Moldova’s elections?
Moscow wants to install a pro-Russian majority to derail Moldova’s EU integration and use the country against Ukraine.
Who is Ilan Shor, and why is he important?
He is a pro-Russian oligarch whose companies finance political projects and evade sanctions.
What is the “Matryoshka” bot network?
It is a Kremlin-controlled digital operation spreading fake news through social media.
How is Moldova protecting its elections?
Authorities have launched thousands of searches and opened criminal cases related to voter bribery and illegal protests.
Why does this matter for Ukraine?
If Moldova falls under Russian influence, it could become a base for hybrid attacks on Ukraine’s southern flank in the context of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
