StratCom: Norway's military support attacked by manipulation on anonymous Telegram channels

Moldova’s efforts to strengthen its defense sector are portrayed by foreign information manipulation operations as a path toward war. Norway’s recent announcement that it would allow the delivery of military equipment, services and training to our country was followed by a wave of manipulation, amplified especially on anonymous Telegram channels. The conclusions were presented today by the Center for Strategic Communication and Countering Disinformation.

According to LetsData analyses, the Blame Shifting technique was used for this purpose. The aggressor uses this tactic to change the public narrative through several key mechanisms, in order to justify its attack, demoralize the target or divert attention from the real culprit.


“Another technique used was ‘Taking Out of Context’: a form of distorting the truth through omission. Even if the quoted words are real, the lack of broader context is deliberately constructed with the aim of misleading the public. The ‘Reverse Pipeline’ type of algorithmic manipulation was also identified: a technique through which false and marginal narratives are promoted by algorithms, then taken up by propagandists or opinion leaders and later cited by public figures and politicians. The ‘Fear Anchor’ technique was also used: an influence tactic through which a manipulative message is ‘attached’ to a specific, deep-rooted and already existing fear, with the aim of influencing people’s behavior, opinions or decisions,” the cited source stated.


StratCom emphasizes that Norway’s announcement was “vigorously attacked in order to delegitimize Moldova’s defense partnerships, maintain a low level of popular support for the modernization of the army, so that it remains poorly prepared for scenarios in which defense might be necessary.”


“Norway’s support for the Republic of Moldova covers areas such as strengthening energy security, civil resilience and ensuring progress in European integration, reforms and good governance. Norway’s decision to expand its support from the humanitarian and financial spheres to the defense sector reflects Moldova’s growing role as a security partner along its 1,222-kilometer state border with Ukraine,” StratCom noted.


At the end of September this year, the Government of the Kingdom of Norway announced that it would provide support to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Republic of Moldova. The assistance will contribute to strengthening bilateral cooperation and increasing national and institutional resilience in the face of challenges generated by the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine.

Chisinau’s Ministry of Defense welcomed the decision of the Norwegian Government and appreciated the continued support provided by Norwegian partners for the country’s security. The institution described the decision as “an important step in advancing the modernization of defense capabilities in support of peace, stability and the safety of citizens.” The authorities reaffirmed the Republic of Moldova’s openness to deepening bilateral cooperation with the Kingdom of Norway in the defense sector, for the benefit of regional security.