Disinformation and cyber attacks: How the UK is helping to strengthen the security of the Republic of Moldova
The Russian Federation uses complex destabilization strategies to weaken the Republic of Moldova, warns the British ambassador in Chisinau, Fern Horine. According to her, the Kremlin uses disinformation campaigns and hybrid interventions to influence political and social events in the Republic of Moldova, in an attempt to keep the country under its control.
"We were very keen to make this information public because it reveals a detailed plan of what Russia wants to do here, how the Kremlin wants to destabilize Moldova and keep it in its sphere of influence. So it was a very important step to share this information openly and publicly with the Moldovan people so that they understand that we are anticipating what could happen," the ambassador said in an interview with Moldova 1 TV. Her statements come in the context of the joint statement issued in June by Britain, the US and Canada, in which they warned of plans for Russian interference in the presidential election and referendum on October 20.
Great Britain, together with other international partners, is focusing its efforts on countering these threats by combating disinformation and strengthening the cyber security capacity of the Republic of Moldova, Fern Horine said.
A recent example of the support provided is the inauguration of the Cybercor center within the Technical University of Chisinau, where Moldovan experts will be trained to become top cyber specialists.
"This institute or this center will train tomorrow's cyber professionals to help ensure that whether it's business or government, cyber hygiene, that we are aware of the cyber world that we live in, the digital world that we live and which can also help with the digitalization of Moldova and the country's plans to ensure that services are accessible to the public. But when you think about all the types of threats that Moldova can face, for me, disinformation and cyber security are two very important areas in which we help the government", explained the ambassador.
In addition to efforts in the digital sphere, the United Kingdom supports the strengthening of institutions in the Republic of Moldova through legal cooperation. Regarding Moldovan citizens living in the UK who are suspected of illegal activities, Horine stressed that "the UK government has a clear policy not to disclose information about exact cases and ongoing legal matters", but stressed London's commitment to fight crime and to support law enforcement in collaboration with the Moldovan authorities.
"We used the sanctions regimes that we have available to try to counter the activity that destabilizes Moldova, but from a different perspective, from the influence of the conflict of Russia and Ukraine," the ambassador said, mentioning the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom against Ilan Sor and Vlad Plahotniuc. Britain has also sanctioned more than 2,000 people as part of its wider sanctions regime against Russia to reduce the Kremlin's influence in the region.
