The Moldovan authorities have uncovered a plot led by a wealthy pro-Russian businessman to influence the upcoming elections by paying ordinary citizens to vote against closer ties with the West. This scheme involved funneling over $15 million in Russian funds to more than 130,000 Moldovans, who were then instructed on how to vote and spread false information about the EU through the messaging app Telegram.
The businessman, Ilan Shor, who holds both Moldovan and Israeli citizenship, is accused of laundering the money and organizing the network, despite his political party being banned. This effort by the Kremlin is part of a larger strategy to undermine Moldova’s pro-Western leadership ahead of the EU referendum and presidential elections on October 20.
According to Moldova’s chief of police, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, this is a new and concerning phenomenon of voter bribery, combined with hybrid warfare and disinformation, that the country has never experienced before. The Moldovan government has been a strong supporter of Ukraine during its conflict with Russia and has taken measures to counter Russian subversive activities within its borders. In July 2023, dozens of Russian diplomats and embassy staff were expelled after revelations of espionage activities.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has raised fears in Moldova of a potential spillover of hostilities, particularly through the Russian-occupied region of Transnistria. The Moldovan government is taking steps to prevent this and protect its citizens from any potential harm.
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