Moldova Security Forum 2026 // Moldovan president's adviser on national defence and security says Russia’s strategy not aimed only at winning elections, but at undermining trust in democracy

The strategic goal of the hybrid operations carried out by the Russian Federation in Moldova is not necessarily for pro-Russian forces to win elections, but to undermine citizens’ trust in democratic processes and state institutions. The presidential adviser for defense and national security, Stanislav Secrieru, has made statements to this effect during the Moldova Security Forum 2026.

According to Secrieru, Russian hybrid operations are constantly adapting, while illicit financing is one of the main tools enabling them to expand and produce effects.

“I believe that illicit financing plays an essential role. Without money, Russian hybrid operations could not reach a significant scale and would not have the same impact,” the official said.

He explained that financial resources are used to recruit people involved in such operations, train them, pay for their activities and support disinformation infrastructure. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence to produce fake content generates new costs.

“To generate more fake news, subscriptions to artificial intelligence services have to be paid for. Therefore, more and more money is needed,” Secrieru noted.

The presidential adviser noted that the objective of these campaigns was to influence public perceptions of the fairness of electoral processes. To this end, false information, manipulated video materials—including those created with the help of artificial intelligence—and media attacks aimed at discrediting key institutions are being used.

The official drew attention to actions targeting the Central Electoral Commission. According to him, Russia distributed fake videos and letters targeting members of the institution in an attempt to discredit its work.

“It is no longer only about the fairness of the elections themselves, but also about perceptions of the fairness of the outcome,” the presidential adviser said.

According to him, such a strategy may aim to narrow the perceived gap between candidates and create the impression that the election result is being contested by society. Fueling doubts about the accuracy of the figures and alleged manipulation can undermine public trust in the electoral process.

Stanislav Secrieru also warned that hybrid operations do not end once the vote is over. Narratives and suspicions generated during the election campaign can also be exploited after the elections; which is why, developments during both periods must be analyzed together.

In the context, Secrieru emphasized the need to understand the link between electoral interference and actions carried out after the conclusion of the vote. According to him, defending democratic processes requires identifying sources of financing, combating disinformation and protecting the credibility of institutions.

The 2026 Moldova Security Forum is taking place in Chisinau on October 8–9, bringing together more than 700 participants from the country and both sides of the Atlantic, including politicians, military leaders, experts, and representatives of civil society and the media. The forum’s third edition is being held under the theme, Strengthening Democratic Resilience and Security through Strategic Vision and Multilateral Cooperation, amid increasingly complex security challenges for  Moldova and the region.





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