Russia targets Moldova with extensive hybrid warfare campaign

Intelligence sources and investigative reports reveal an extensive Russian campaign aimed at destabilizing Moldova through hybrid warfare. Following Ukraine, Moldova has become a primary target for Kremlin influence operations intended to undermine European Union and NATO integration.

The operations involve multiple layers of subversion, including the training of saboteurs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moscow. Participants reportedly received payments to learn tactics such as creating fires, manufacturing explosives, and operating attack drones. Additionally, Russia has utilized religious influence by paying hundreds of Orthodox priests to spread pro-Russian narratives during services.

A sophisticated vote-buying scheme, managed from the Skolkovo technology hub in Russia and funded by exiled Moldovan-Israeli businessman Ilan Shor, allegedly recruited approximately 150,000 individuals to participate in paid protests and manipulate elections. These efforts are compounded by cyberattacks on electoral bodies and strikes against energy infrastructure, which have impacted electricity supplies in the region.