Moldova is facing a significant wave of Russian-backed disinformation and influence operations ahead of its critical parliamentary elections, which are pivotal in determining whether the country will align more closely with the EU or Moscow.

Russian efforts include paying participants to spread pro-Russian propaganda, secretly recording supporters of Moldova's pro-Russia opposition, and inciting unrest within prisons and broader destabilization campaigns.

Pro-Russian parties, especially in regions like Gagauzia, benefit from disinformation and Russian-supported sentiments, gaining ground as pro-European efforts struggle to reach Russian-speaking voters.

Authorities have conducted over 250 searches, detained more than 100 individuals, and uncovered a Russian military intelligence network involved in planning mass unrest and destabilization, with assets seized and investigations ongoing.

A network of over 90 TikTok accounts since January has posted millions of videos, spreading disinformation and influencing public opinion, with some content originating from Russian sources and sanctioned banks.

Despite Moldova's pro-European majority, polls and recent elections show that pro-Russian parties are gaining support, aided by covert influence campaigns and financial inducements supported by Russia, including payments to voters.

Russian influence extends through payments to voters, support for protests, and the use of social media campaigns, with estimates of election-related funding reaching over 200 million euros last year.

The political landscape is further complicated by internal challenges such as economic hardships, political fatigue, and regional divisions, especially in Transnistria, which remains under Russian control.

Moldova's government has responded by cracking down on vote-buying, corruption, and disinformation networks, but many locals remain unaware of the extent of external meddling.

Experts warn that Moldova’s resistance is hampered by resource asymmetries and lack of international support, making it vulnerable to hybrid warfare tactics that threaten its democratic stability.

The upcoming elections are seen as a critical battleground, with the risk that pro-Russian forces could overturn the pro-European government, especially given the ongoing geopolitical tensions and Russian military presence in the region.

Overall, Moldova’s strategic vulnerabilities are exploited through disinformation, financial influence, and political destabilization, with implications for regional security and European integration efforts.