The preliminary results from Moldova’s runoff presidential election on November 3 show that pro-EU incumbent Maia Sandu has won over pro-Russian opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo.
According to the Moldovan election commission, Sandu is leading Stoianoglo by about 53% to 46% with over 96% votes counted.
Sandu failed in his bid to gain a majority during the first round of voting, which took place on October 20, paving the road for the runoff on November 3. The election is a crucial moment for Moldova, as the nation must choose between EU integration or Russian influence.
On the same day, on October 20, Moldovans narrowly supported a referendum to enshrine the country’s EU membership in the constitution. Sandu and EU officials both accused each other of interference in the election.
This election has been dominated by allegations of voter fraud and interfering. The fugitive Russian-backed oligarch Ilan Schor is accused of laundering over $39 million, using the money to spread propaganda and direct voters.
The authorities in Moldova are also investigating organized voter transportation, which could be linked to flights or trips by bus from Russia or other countries. This raises concerns about external influences.
Sandu called on Moldovans to vote to protect their country’s independence, and to resist intimidation. He also urged citizens to defend the pro-European path of their nation.
Stoianoglo, despite mounting scrutiny, has denied any involvement in vote buying or Kremlin ties.
The tense electoral cycle comes shortly after the highly contested parliamentary elections in Georgia in which the ruling Georgian Dream Party claimed to have won a majority. Pro-European groups and international observers have cast doubts on the integrity of this election.
U.S. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink stated on Nov. 3, that the U.S. State Department funded 800 mobile fireteams in Ukraine which have shot down more than 200 Russian drones.
Roman Kostenko (secretary of the parliamentary defence committee) stated on November 2 that he believes it is necessary to mobilize at least 500,000 citizens in light of current battlefield conditions.
City officials reported that on Nov. 3, Russia launched its latest drone strike overnight on Ukraine. The attack lasted more than five hours and targeted the capital. Kyiv was rocked by several waves of explosions throughout the night.
On Nov. 3, Governor Oleksandr PROKUDIN reported that Russian troops shelled Bilozerka, a village in Kherson Oblast. A paramedic and a driver of an ambulance were wounded.
Hungarian Prime Minster Viktor Orban stated in a radio conversation on Nov. 3 that “Europe cannot remain anti-war” if Donald Trump is elected U.S. President, as reported by Telex. Orban was referring to the EU’s military assistance to Ukraine which he has repeatedly criticized.
After “a public reaction,” Google representatives contacted the Ukrainian side, and the company is already working on fixing the issue, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said in a later update on social media.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the majority of these strikes targeted critical infrastructure and civilian facilities.
The most casualties were reported in Kherson Oblast where Russian attacks resulted in the death of one person and the injury of another 10 including three children.
According to reports, Russia has also lost 9,182 tanks and 18,523 armored fighting vehicles that carry troops, 28,160 vehicles, fuel tanks and artillery systems. It also lost 1,244 multiple launch missile systems, 994 systems of air defense, 369 planes, 329 helicopters, 18,187 drones and 28 ships, boats and submarines.
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance-Reason and Justice (BSW), a new leftist populist German party, demands that mainstream parties stop military aid to Ukraine. Germany is Ukraine’s second largest military supporter.
Officials in Moldova have warned that Russia could orchestrate disruptive activities including bomb threats at polling stations throughout Western nations during Moldova’s presidential runoff elections on Nov. 3.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner, said on November 3 that Ukraine is still willing to receive its own citizens and blamed Russia as the reason for the slowdown in exchanges.
Officials in the United States believe that two more fake videos, which are now circulating on the internet and have been identified by the FBI as attempts to spread false information about election security, may be part of an influence campaign backed by Russia. The campaign seems to be intended to sway public opinion in advance of the presidential election on November 5.
Zelensky stated in his evening speech that “this volume of ‘Shahed” drones represents over 170,000 parts that should have been prevented from reaching Russia.” “Microchips are necessary for this terror. Microcontrollers, processors and other parts also play a role.”
On Nov. 2, Governor Serhii Lisak reported that a Russian attack damaged infrastructure near Dnipro.
Australian Defense Magazine reported Nov. 1 that Australia has provided glide bomb kits to Ukraine following the withdrawal of the Royal Australian Air Force from service.
Kyiv City military administration said that all drones that were threatening the city had been neutralized, without specifying how many drones were shot down.
“… “We face a pivot in history,” said U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. “If Ukraine falls into Putin’s boot then all of Europe will be under Putin’s shadow.”
Kadyrov stated that after the first drone attack against Russia’s North Caucasus Republic, which targeted the Russian Special Forces University (Vladimir Putin) in the Chechen City of Gudermes, on October 29, he had ordered all his commanders fighting Ukraine to “not take prisoners and destroy” Ukrainian soldier as a retribution.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com