On October 20, Moldova will hold presidential elections and a referendum on membership in the European Union. According to experts, Russia is attempting to undermine the country's pro-European direction by executing an aggressive disinformation campaign.
As reported by "Voice of America," Meta, which includes Facebook and Instagram, recently removed a number of fake accounts that were trying to discredit pro-Western forces in Moldova. These accounts, linked to Russia, actively spread disinformation, particularly targeting the current president, Maia Sandu, who is running for a second term.
The authorities in Moldova have also taken action by blocking dozens of Telegram channels and chatbots associated with attempts to bribe voters to vote "against" in the referendum. A total of 15 channels and 95 chatbots connected to the oligarch Ilan Shor were shut down. This politician, convicted of corruption, vanished in Moscow after allegedly stealing a billion dollars from Moldovan banks.
Meta reported that the fake accounts intended for spreading pro-Russian propaganda were identified as part of a complex network covering Transnistria and the occupied territories of Ukraine. Researchers from Meta noted that those responsible for this activity tried to conceal their identities, but the investigation revealed connections with Russian and Moldovan citizens.
According to estimates from the Moldovan government, Russia has directed millions of euros towards manipulation efforts. The head of the national police, Viorel Chiriac, accused Shor and Moscow of creating a "mafia-like" scheme to bribe voters, which could influence the voting of 130,000 Moldovans.
Source: holosameryky.