The Kremlin has launched a renewed phase of informational attacks against Moldova, warns Iulian Groza, director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). He believes that in the coming months, Moscow will intensify efforts to flood Moldova’s information space with false, militaristic, and conspiratorial narratives, aiming to sow confusion and weaken public trust.
Groza emphasizes that these disinformation tactics are not new. The Kremlin employed similar methods ahead of Moldova’s 2024 presidential and referendum elections and during Romania’s electoral campaigns. He notes that Russia’s objective is to instill fear, undermine confidence in state institutions, and deepen social divisions, particularly among citizens who rely on pro-Russian media outlets.
“One of the techniques involves recycling old propaganda narratives that have already been debunked—like the claim that Moldova has been turned into a ‘military playground’ by the EU and NATO,” Groza said. “Bringing back this narrative right before an election is a calculated move meant to create artificial uncertainty and instability.”
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Groza predicts that the Kremlin will continue to test Moldova’s resilience, adjusting its methods based on past successes and failures. He underlined the importance of tracking the sources and contexts in which these narratives appear, as a way to identify spokespersons and influence networks working in Russia’s interest.
“The Republic of Moldova poses no threat to anyone. Our European path is a sovereign and democratic choice. We want peace, security, and prosperity,” Groza added. “That’s why every citizen must remain vigilant, verify sources of information, expose falsehoods, and reject manipulation.”
This renewed wave of disinformation follows a joint report from Moscow and Minsk, which accused Moldova of violating human rights. Shortly afterward, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service claimed that NATO was preparing to use Moldova as a military launchpad against Russia.
In response, President Maia Sandu reiterated that Moldova’s pro-European course remains firm and legitimate, and she denied all Russian accusations as false. NATO officials also told Realitatea that the Alliance fully respects Moldova’s sovereignty and neutrality, and all partnerships are based solely on Chisinau’s sovereign decisions.