The EU on Thursday said Moldova was facing “an unprecedented campaign of disinformation” from Russia ahead of key parliamentary elections with the aim of knocking the country off its pro-European course.
“It’s not the first time that Russia is employing textbook manipulation and disinformation tactics, but they’re resorting to much more,” EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said.
“They are deeply interfering in the electoral process.”
Moldova’s pro-EU premier Maia Sandu, whose party is narrowly in the lead according to polls, has warned that the Kremlin is looking to buy votes, stir unrest and wage an online disinformation campaign.
Wedged between Ukraine – currently fighting off a Russian invasion – and European Union member Romania, Moldova has long been divided over forging closer ties with Brussels or maintaining Soviet-era relations with Moscow, from which it gained independence in 1991.
The EU has thrown its weight behind Moldova’s leaders ahead of the election, with the heads of Germany, France and Poland making a highly symbolic visit to the country during the election campaign.