Moldova Warns Russia Increases Disinformation Targeting 250,000 Diaspora Voters Across Europe

Moldova's National Security Adviser Stanislav Secrieru has warned of intensified Russian efforts to influence the upcoming parliamentary elections on September 28 by targeting nearly a quarter of a million Moldovan diaspora voters across Europe. The Kremlin-backed Matryoshka network is reportedly creating fake media outlets that mimic legitimate European news sources to spread disinformation aimed at demobilizing diaspora voters and promoting a fake pro-EU force, thereby undermining trust in Moldova's democratic institutions. These tactics follow patterns from previous elections, including hoax bomb threats at polling stations and staged protests abroad to project false dissatisfaction. President Maia Sandu has highlighted that Russia seeks to control Moldova starting this autumn and is increasing support for her political opponents. The pro-Western ruling Party of Action and Solidarity is campaigning to secure EU candidacy and maintain its parliamentary majority, while Brussels is assisting Moldova in strengthening its resilience against coordinated disinformation campaigns. European governments are urged to enhance monitoring and be prepared to counter any interference attempts before, during, and after the election.