Moldovan law enforcement agencies have reported that hundreds of young people from the country were trained in Moscow to organize mass riots and protests ahead of the presidential elections and the referendum on joining the European Union. This was announced by the head of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernăuțanu, and the director of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), Alexandru Musteață, as reported by Reuters.
The youth were sent to Moscow under the pretext of participating in cultural events. However, during these “events,” they received instructions on organizing protests, resisting the police, making explosives, and using drones for provocations ahead of and during the elections.
According to law enforcement data, more than 300 people participated in these training sessions from September to mid-October. Some participants were trained by instructors linked to Russian private military companies, such as the Wagner Group and “Ferma.” To enhance their preparation, some of the youth were sent for additional training in Bosnia and Serbia.
The authorities conducted 88 searches in several towns in the north, center, and south of the country. Four Moldovan citizens who had undergone training in Moscow were detained and arrested for 30 days. During the searches, a substantial amount of evidence was found: lists of activists, propaganda materials, laptops, phones, bank cards, airline tickets, and more than 1.6 million Moldovan leu ($90,000). These funds were intended to finance the organization of protests and destabilization efforts within the country.
In addition, the police discovered evidence linking the detainees to Ilan Șor, an oligarch who is internationally wanted.
Earlier this month, the police stated that Russia-backed crime groups had bribed a significant number of voters and plotted to disrupt this weekend’s presidential election and referendum on the country’s EU membership, even planning to seize government buildings.
In addition to preparing protests, Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Russia of attempting to influence the election results by illegally transporting voters to polling stations to create the appearance of high turnout, thereby questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election and the referendum on European integration.
Russia continues its hybrid attacks on countries aspiring to join the EU. The use of youth to organize mass riots and influence the electoral process through illegal means once again proves that Moscow is unwilling to allow the strengthening of democratic processes in Europe. Russia’s attempts at interference could significantly complicate the process and create additional obstacles for Moldova’s path toward EU integration.
