Russian-Backed Network Attempts to Disrupt Moldova’s Elections

A covert network funded by Russia is working to undermine the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moldova, according to a recent investigation by the BBC. The network aims to promote pro-Russian propaganda and disseminate false information about the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which is aligned with the European Union. This operation comes as Moldova prepares for its elections on September 28, 2024.

Using undercover reporting, the investigation revealed that participants were incentivized to post misleading content targeting the pro-EU government. The network, which operates under the guise of a non-existent organization, has reportedly paid individuals to conduct covert polling and record supporters of the opposition. An organizer suggested that the outcomes of these biased surveys could be leveraged to challenge the legitimacy of the upcoming election results.

While the network claims that the ruling PAS will lose the election, official polling indicates otherwise. The PAS, founded by President Maia Sandu, is currently ahead of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP), which seeks to counter the pro-EU agenda.

The investigation uncovered links between the network and Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, who has been sanctioned by the United States for his role in promoting Russian influence. Shor is currently a fugitive in Moscow, having also faced sanctions from the UK for corruption. Furthermore, the network appears to be connected to a non-profit organization named Evrazia, which has been accused of bribing Moldovan citizens to vote against EU membership.

Moldova, strategically located between Ukraine and Romania, holds significant importance for both Europe and Russia. The BBC’s investigation accessed the network’s operations through a whistleblower, revealing how it coordinated activities via the messaging app Telegram. Undercover reporter Ana, along with 34 other recruits, attended secret online seminars designed to prepare operatives for their roles.

These seminars, with titles such as “How to go from your kitchen to national leader,” functioned as a vetting process. Recruits were required to complete regular assessments on the material presented. Ana was subsequently contacted by Alina Juc, a coordinator in the network. Juc, whose social media presence indicates connections to Transnistria—a pro-Russian separatist region—offered Ana a monthly payment of 3,000 Moldovan lei (approximately $170) to create social media posts ahead of the election.

The financial transactions were reportedly facilitated through Promsvyazbank, a Russian state-owned bank under sanctions. Training sessions instructed recruits on how to produce effective social media content, suggesting that posts featuring satire would engage more users, although they were warned against overuse of artificial intelligence to maintain an “organic” feel.

The investigation also monitored the network’s online activities, revealing that it comprises at least 90 TikTok accounts, some masquerading as legitimate news outlets. Since January, these accounts have collectively garnered over 23 million views and 860,000 likes, despite Moldova’s relatively small population of 2.4 million. Analysis by the US-based Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) indicated that the broader network might be even larger, amassing over 55 million views and more than 2.2 million likes on TikTok in the same timeframe.

In addition to misinformation, the network engaged in activities such as conducting unofficial polling. Juc offered Ana 200 Moldovan lei (about $12) per hour to interview voters in Chisinau, the capital. Participants received instructions on subtly influencing responses and were also asked to secretly record interviews with individuals expressing support for the pro-Russian opposition. Juc indicated that these recordings could be used to claim election rigging should the PAS win.

The investigation further revealed that the network is funded from Russia. Ana captured footage of Juc discussing financial support from Moscow, implying a direct link to the Kremlin. The UK Foreign Office has stated that Evrazia operates in Moldova on behalf of Shor, aiming to destabilize the country’s democratic processes.

Despite multiple attempts to obtain comments from Juc, Shor, and Evrazia regarding the investigation’s findings, no responses were provided. As the election date approaches, the implications of these revelations raise significant concerns about the integrity of Moldova’s democratic process.

In response to the investigation, TikTok announced that it has implemented additional security measures ahead of the elections to combat deceptive practices. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has yet to comment on the findings.

The Russian embassy in the UK has denied any involvement in disinformation or electoral interference, instead accusing the EU of meddling in Moldova’s political affairs. As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to monitor the potential impact of these actions on Moldova’s future.