Prime Minister provided details on Russia's methods to influence parliamentary elections

Russia is spending hundreds of millions of euros to buy votes in the elections on September 28. But our state will not allow vote theft to become an "electoral coup." The Republic of Moldova is standing firm. Not only are we resisting, but we are responding firmly and "will thwart the Russian occupation plan." Prime Minister Dorin Recean made the statements today. He held a press conference on the preparedness of the Republic of Moldova against Russia's interference in the parliamentary elections.


"Dear citizens, I know the pressure is increasing. The growing evidence of Russia's subversive actions heightens concern in society. I assure you of one thing: the Republic of Moldova is resilient. Not only are we resilient, but we are responding firmly and will thwart the Russian occupation plan," stated the Prime Minister.


He said "Kremlin's failure last year prompted it to spend even more money, involve even more people, and further influence our elections," and the methods used in this regard "are becoming increasingly radical."

The Prime Minister highlighted that the first method involves the involvement of criminal group members to prepare mass disorders. In this regard, at the beginning of this week, the SIS, IGP and PCCOCS reported the detention of over 70 individuals, young people between 19 and 40 years old who were taken to training in Serbia, coordinated by individuals from Russian special services, the so-called GRU, and trained on how to incite violence.


"Criminal prosecution has established a clear connection of these individuals with Russian services, as well as with parties in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, Russia attempts to recruit resources from the so-called MGB in the Transnistrian region for acts of vandalism, destabilization here on our right bank," stated the Premier.


Additionally, the official denounced a "criminal plan of electoral bribery implemented by Shor criminal network."


"Russia is spending hundreds of millions of euros to buy votes in the elections on September 28. But our state will NOT allow vote theft to become an "electoral coup," said the Prime Minister.


He added that the CNA is carrying out 2500 criminal prosecution actions, dozens of individuals have been detained, and those organizing vote buying will be punished with imprisonment.


"There is evidence, including wiretaps that prove that vote buying is funded by the Russian Federation. The tool is Shor criminal group, and the beneficiaries are several electoral competitors," mentioned Dorin Recean.


The Prime Minister also added that "some parties funded by the Russian Federation are preparing the electoral bribery scheme called 'carousel,' according to which a person enters the polling station with a fake ballot, which is used to be placed in the ballot box and take a genuine one stamped in favor of that party. "This ballot is taken outside the polling station, given to the next voter already stamped in exchange for money. This ballot is used to vote in the next polling station," stated the Prime Minister.

At the same time, he referred to cyberattacks as a method used to influence elections. According to him, "for quite some time, the aim of Russian services is to break into our governmental cyber system to cause data leaks, induce chaos, or use the information against the state and its citizens." Official data show that in 2025, over 1000 cyberattacks on critical government infrastructure were identified.


"They may try to turn off the lights, organize false bomb alerts, cyberattack the information system related to elections, to pressure the institutions. Any scenario they may apply, the CEC has all the tools to protect the vote," assured the Prime Minister.


The official also stated that in the context of the elections, the Republic of Moldova is facing massive "informational intoxication."


"They create fake accounts and pages daily, fabricate videos, letters, messages - we see an unprecedented propaganda avalanche for our country," he said.


In this context, the Prime Minister made a call to the electoral competitors, urging them "to dissociate from the criminal group, from vote buying, from the malign influence of Kremlin."


"As Prime Minister, I appeal to the electoral competitors - Dodon, Ceban, Tkaciuk, Vlah, and others - to come out publicly and condemn, dissociate themselves from the criminal group, from vote buying, from the malign influence of Kremlin; at least in the last hour. Otherwise, you confirm that you are the direct beneficiaries of the electoral corruption financed by Kremlin through Shor," opined Dorin Recean.


Additionally, the premier said "this is not an ordinary electoral fight. It is a siege on our country" and urged citizens to participate in the elections and express their free vote.