Kremlin targets Moldova with bribery, propaganda, and illicit funds
The Russian Federation is set to intensify efforts to bring the Republic of Moldova back into its sphere of influence in light of the upcoming parliamentary elections, warns Ukraine’s presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.
In an interview with Moldova 1, the public broadcaster, the Kyiv official stated that the Kremlin is determined to "take its revenge" after its unsuccessful attempt to sway Moldovan voter preferences in the recent elections through aggressive propaganda and bribery.
"Russia sensed it had a chance. Even in the second round, they were genuinely confident that they could, through highly aggressive propaganda and extensive voter bribery, secure a result in their favour—a pro-Russian Moldova," Podolyak remarked.
Podolyak believes that Moscow will not abandon this pursuit; on the contrary, it will escalate its influence tactics, as its true target is next year’s parliamentary elections. To shape the outcome in its favour, Podolyak added, the Kremlin is prepared to use every available tool. Fugitive Moldovan oligarchs are expected to play a critical role in this effort, he emphasised.
"I have no doubt they will seek revenge in the parliamentary elections. For this, they will channel even more money into propaganda, social division, and street protests. Funds will also be directed toward pro-Russian political parties," Podolyak asserted.
The recent elections in the Republic of Moldova took place against a backdrop of attempted interference by the "Șor criminal organisation," supported by the Russian Federation, aimed at compromising the electoral process, Moldovan authorities reported. Attorney General Ion Munteanu stated that electoral bribery and financing of political parties, orchestrated by fugitive Ilan Șor—convicted in the "Bank Fraud" case—have reached unprecedented levels.
Since September 2022, massive inflows of illicit funds from the Russian Federation into Moldova have been recorded. Initially arriving through smuggling or cryptocurrency channels, these funds later moved through a Russian bank under international sanctions. The Prosecutor's Office recently announced that 50 million lei had been seized and confiscated, with 28 individuals detained and 35 charged in connection with these activities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
