In a document viewed by POLITICO and distributed by Moldova to EU officials shortly after the parliamentary election, the government detailed how Orthodox priests in the country were instructed to spread disinformation daily instead of only on Sundays. Moreover, Moscow provided guidance on establishing and managing Telegram channels, a messaging platform popular in Russia.
The government also noted the use of extensive vote-buying networks, staged protests, cyberattacks, troll farms, and AI-generated deepfakes, with Russian proxies compensated, occasionally in cryptocurrency, based on a performance-based financial bonus system.
Moldova stated it has been dismantling networks of foreign-trained operatives funded by Moscow since 2024. “We are discussing training sessions held in Serbia, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the Russian Federation,” said Misail-Nichitin, the interior minister.
Misail-Nichitin mentioned that cases like Prizenco’s demonstrate how the networks targeting Moldova have extended operations beyond the country’s borders. As a recent instance, she cited an alleged plot to assassinate several public figures in Ukraine.
“We are addressing over 90 targets, including prominent journalists, defense officials, and high-level executives associated with Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, who were to be assassinated on command,” she explained.
She added that recruiters in the operation targeted “vulnerable young men” without criminal records, preferably with EU passports, some as young as 14 or 15 years old.
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