Intelligence and Security Service head presented assessment of Russian Federation's involvement in electoral processes in Moldova

Chisinau, 5 March /MOLDPRES/- Intelligence and Security Service head Alexandru Musteața held a press conference and unveiled information on "an unprecedented level of intensity of actions by the Russian Federation, aimed at anchoring the Republic of Moldova in its sphere of influence."

According to SIS head, the instruments and tactics used by Russia in the hybrid attacks on democratic processes are aimed at compromising the European integration, interference in the presidential elections and referendum, as well as the access of political parties under the influence of the Russian Federation to the Moldovan Parliament.

"In order to achieve their goals, hostile forces are counting on a strategy that includes three main elements, namely: support for political actors under direct or indirect control of the Russian Federation; creation of more crises in several areas of socio-political life; large-scale information attack to amplify the psychological effect of the crises," the official said.

He added that "hybrid influences from the Russian Federation are based on interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Moldova, with the involvement of political actors, pro-Russian associative structures/groups of influence, information-analytical companies connected to the Russian factor, as well as separate groups of citizens clandestinely financed by foreign subversive centers”.

"The main tools of influence remain: altering content in the information space, implicitly through propaganda channels (such as Telegram and TikTok), and protests used to erode trust in the current government. Creation of a regional power pole in Gagauzia is taking shape, in order to apply blackmail levers against the country's central authorities. Another tool used by external subversive centres is aimed at provoking a political crisis, manifested by identifying and corrupting a number of public figures, representatives of pro-European parties, which would lead to the disappointment of citizens with the current political class," Musteața said.

SIS head urged citizens to be vigilant and not to be manipulated by the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation. "I emphasize that the plans to destabilize Moldova in 2023 have failed and the institutions, including SIS, have thwarted attempts to undermine democratic processes," he said.