[REVISION HISTORY]

Russian influence operations in Moldova

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2026-09-21 19:27 UTC → 2026-09-26 06:49 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Investigations have revealed that the Russian Federation provided significant financial aid to religious and political entities in Moldova between 2016 and 2018. Internal ~~documents~~ documents, including a leak of over 270,000 emails from the Moscow-based House of Compatriots, indicate that at least 8.5 million rubles (over 2.5 million lei) were approved for various ~~beneficiaries, including pro-Russian religious leaders and local politicians.~~ beneficiaries. Specific funding was directed toward projects in Gagauzia and the Transnistria region, often for the purchase of liturgical items such as candles, crosses, ~~and~~ golden ~~chalices.~~ chalices, church furniture, books, and icons. These funding requests were reportedly supported by Russian diplomats accredited in Chișinău. Notable recipients included Bishop Marchel of Bălți and Fălești, who received 853,000 rubles in 2016 and 1.12 million rubles in 2017. Additionally, former deputy Fiodor ~~Gagauz~~ Gagauz, through the Edinaia Gagauzia ~~movement.~~ movement, requested funds for religious inventory for the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Copceac. Reports based on Moldovan intelligence suggest these religious donations were utilized to expand Russian influence and promote a ‘Great Orthodox Russia’ concept. This strategy reportedly aims to undermine Turkish and Western interests in the region by targeting Orthodox churches in ~~Gagauzia.~~ Gagauzia and parishes under the canonical jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.

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