Disinformation tactics revealed in Germany and Moldova

Investigations have revealed methods used to spread Russian-aligned influence and disinformation in Europe. In Germany, journalist Angelic Geray conducted an undercover experiment by posing as a supporter of Vladimir Putin online. Under the pseudonym ‘Kația’, she was contacted by various individuals, including German politician Jovica Jović of the BSW party, who offered advice on channel development. The experiment uncovered recruitment tactics for ‘occasional agents’, where individuals were initially assigned minor tasks—such as taking photographs of specific locations in Germany, collecting personal data, or picking up packages—before being moved toward more serious operations.

In Moldova, a former editor-in-chief of Sputnik Moldova reportedly used the American AI tool Claude to transform news, poll data, and social media posts from opposition figures in Romania and Moldova into Russian-language articles. These materials were disseminated via Sputnik Moldova’s Telegram channel and RIA Novosti, then amplified through a network of publications to promote falsehoods regarding Moldovan President Maia Sandu.