Prime Minister denounces Russian meddling amid parliamentary elections

Prime Minister Dorin Recean today denounced meddling by the Russian Federation in the context of parliamentary elections aiming "to take power in Chișinău." The official assured that the state of the Republic of Moldova is resisting and "will thwart the Russian occupation plan."

The Prime Minister emphasized that the goal of actions directed by the Russian Federation is to seize power in Chișinău, violating the sovereign will of the Moldovans.


"The Republic of Moldova is in an election campaign. The Russian Federation is also in an election campaign. But we are running the campaign in our own country, while Russia wants to run it in ours. Their goal is to take power in Chișinău, violating the sovereign will of the Moldovans. Dear citizens, I know that the pressure is increasing. The mounting evidence of Russia's subversive actions raises concerns in society. I assure you of one thing: the state of the Republic of Moldova is standing firm. We are not only resisting but responding decisively and will thwart the Russian occupation plan," he said.


Dorin Recean assured that the authorities are aware of "Kremlin's schemes," and state institutions are continuously combating them.

According to him, "worse things happen" in these elections compared to the two previous elections, as "Kremlin's failure last year led them to spend more money, involve more people, and influence our elections more, sabotaging the elections in the Republic of Moldova. Their methods are becoming increasingly radical," the Prime Minister said.

Dorin Recean also addressed the methods used by the Russian Federation to influence the parliamentary vote. These include the involvement of criminal groups in preparing mass disorders, electoral corruption, cyberattacks, and massive informational intoxication. 


"Method 1 is the involvement of criminal group members in preparing mass disorders. They have been preparing them for some time - we are exposing and countering these criminal actions. On Monday, we saw how the SIS, IGP, and PCCOCS informed about the detention of over 70 individuals. Young people aged 19 and 40 were taken to training in Serbia, coordinated by people from the Russian special services, the so-called GRU, and taught how to provoke violence. They were trained to use firearms and how to break the police cordon. Searches found weapons, tents, tens of thousands of euros, camouflage clothing, grenades. The criminal investigation established their clear connection with Russian services and political parties in the Republic of Moldova. Russia also attempts to recruit resources of the so-called MGB from the Transnistrian region for acts of vandalism and destabilization here on our right bank," Dorin Recean said.


The second method according to the Prime Minister is the "criminal electoral corruption plan implemented by Shor criminal network." Dorin Recean warned that Russia is spending hundreds of millions of euros to buy votes in the September 28 elections.


"But our state will NOT allow vote theft to become an 'electoral coup.' The CNA carries out 2500 criminal prosecution actions, dozens of people have been detained, and those organizing vote buying will be punished with imprisonment. There is evidence, including interceptions, proving that vote buying is financed by the Russian Federation. The tool used is Shor criminal group, and the beneficiaries are several electoral competitors. Since August 1 - in just 2 months - the Police have conducted over 600 searches. 273 for electoral corruption and 310 for destabilization attempts," said the Prime Minister.


He added that "some parties funded by the Russian Federation are preparing the electoral corruption formula called 'carousel.'" According to him, it works as follows: "a person enters the polling station with a fake ballot, which is used to be placed in the ballot box and to take out an authentic one on which the stamp is placed next to that party. This ballot is taken out of the polling station, offered to the next voter already with the 'voted' stamp in exchange for some money," said Dorin Recean.

In this context, the official recommended the members of polling station offices and observers to watch and intervene according to procedures. He also urged voters to report any violations.

Another method denounced by Recean is cyberattacks. The official emphasized that "the goal of the Russian services for some time is to break into our governmental cyber system to leak data, induce chaos, or use the information against the state and its citizens."


"I know that for most citizens this seems far from everyday concerns, but such attacks strike at the critical governmental infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova. Why do they do this? To create panic, chaos, to distort the information reaching the public. In addition to this, they clone websites, hack personal or work accounts, steal citizen identities, send false information or files with viruses. In 2025, over 1000 cyberattacks on critical governmental infrastructure were identified. The attacks were different, and they continue - on the border crossing system, the airport system, payment systems, digital signature systems, communication systems - the ultimate goal is generalized panic and disbelief that the state functions.  Here I emphasize something important: the goal of Russian services for some time is to break into our governmental cyber system to leak data, induce chaos, or use the information against the state and its citizens," mentioned the Prime Minister.


He also pointed out that the authorities are preparing for any scenario and assured that "the CEC has all the tools to protect the vote."


"They may try to turn off the lights, organize false bomb alerts, cyberattack the election-related information system, to pressure institutions. Whatever scenario they implement, the CEC has all the tools to protect the vote. The CEC recently emphasized that the election results are those validated by the Constitutional Court based on written minutes, meaning on paper. I emphasize that the digitization of systems is only for citizens to follow the process live, but not for data validation," the official mentioned.


The fourth method denounced by Recean refers to "massive informational intoxication."


"They create fake accounts and pages daily, fabricate videos, letters, messages - we see an unprecedented propagandistic avalanche for our country. In the last 2 months alone, over 100,000 fake accounts and more than 250,000 spam accounts have been removed from TikTok - all part of the informational attack on Moldova. We have also seen journalistic investigations - how people are recruited and trained - what to write, how to write, about whom to write, what words and messages to put on networks - thousands and thousands of accounts comment to order. We see them in the comments - we see the same texts aimed at inducing distrust and hatred. Here is an example of an instruction for paid posters, exposed in a journalistic investigation: "A month remains until elections, so I want to ask you to get involved in the process as much as possible. Now there will be anti-PAS policy, a lot of content against PAS. We will have a lot of work, the activity will be interesting, and everything will be paid," said the Prime Minister.


Under these conditions, he called on all voters, noting that the only way to thwart the schemes of the Russian Federation is the citizen's free and fair vote.


"Dear citizens, this is not an ordinary electoral battle. It's a siege on our country. I call on all Moldovans, from home or European countries - we cannot change what Russia does, but we can change what we do, as a people. Let's transform concern into mobilization and prudent actions. Let's respond by thwarting their schemes. If you see a provocation at the polling station or in the village, if you know about a vote-selling case, notify the police. If the light goes out, for example, if the voting process is interrupted, if they make false bomb alarms, as they have before, we do not panic, listen to the authorities, and continue to vote honestly. You have the power. The state is with you, and you must stand by the state. Dear citizens, this is the final battle for the future of our country. And I urge you all to participate with an honest vote," concluded Recean.


On September 28, citizens of the Republic of Moldova are expected to polls to choose the future Parliament.