Russia's disinformation campaign targets Moldova's elections
The Russian Federation is using the international platform of the OSCE to rehash narratives well-known in the region.
These narratives involve defending Moldovan political figures who are facing legal issues and promoting an alarmist discourse designed to instill fear in the population. Experts warn that these are the same messages the Kremlin used in the period leading up to the invasion of Ukraine.
At a late July meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Russian Ambassador M.V. Buyakevich accused the Chișinău authorities of suppressing the opposition, consolidating power around President Maia Sandu, and using the judiciary for political purposes. The Russian diplomat also criticized constitutional reforms and public information campaigns, claiming they were repressive.
Experts from the Republic of Moldova are debunking the accusations, calling them part of an information war. Grigore Guzun, an international relations expert, states that such declarations are part of a repetitive Russian propaganda strategy.
He argues that the Republic of Moldova is a state with its own legislation and clear democratic mechanisms, and the accusations launched by Moscow are purely for electoral purposes, aiming to manipulate public opinion ahead of the parliamentary elections.
"This is the exact same communication strategy Russian officials used before the invasion of Ukraine. That's why it's a worrying message. We, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, in particular, must be careful not to be influenced by these statements. (...) These are political declarations coming from Moscow with an electoral agenda, designed to instill fear in the Moldovan population before the September elections," Guzun commented for Teleradio-Moldova.
Regarding the individuals cited as examples by the Russian ambassador at the OSCE—Evghenia Guțul, Marina Tauber, and Alexandr Nesterovschi—Grigore Guzun points out that most of them are facing criminal charges or have left the country with Moscow's support.
"All these individuals are pawns of the Russian Federation's interests in the Republic of Moldova," Guzun stated.
Political analyst Nicolae Negru believes Russia's intervention at the OSCE is part of a broader destabilization plan.
"This would mean informational, political, and geopolitical support for the subversive activities that Russia undertakes through these individuals," Negru told Teleradio-Moldova.
He asserts that using the OSCE as a platform for such accusations is not new, but it is now being launched in the context of the fall parliamentary elections.
"This hybrid information war is underway; that's what his statements mean. Moscow usually wants to present the picture in the following way: that the Republic of Moldova, pushed by the European Union, is following Ukraine's path, while accusing Moldova of the very things Russia is guilty of," the analyst explained.
It is worth recalling that, after the July 30 Supreme Security Council (CSS) meeting, Maia Sandu warned that Russia plans to influence the results of the fall parliamentary elections through destabilizing actions, disinformation campaigns, clandestine funding, and paid protests.
The strategies used include promoting fake news, attacking state institutions, using social media, and media platforms that mimic credible sources. There has also been a noticeable amplification of messages targeting sensitive topics like security, religion, national identity, and democratic values.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
