VIDEO // Intelligence and Security Service chief, at Moldova Security Forum 2026, says money replaced ideology in attempts to destabilize Moldova

Money has become an important tool in attempts to destabilize Moldova and influence democratic processes, gradually replacing ideology, which played a more significant role in the past. The director of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), Alexandru Musteata, today made statements to this effect on the second day of the Moldova Security Forum 2026eports.

According to the SIS chief, 20–30 years ago, influence was exercised largely through ideology and references to the Soviet past. Today, the financial factor plays an increasingly important role in interference in electoral processes, attempts to destabilize the country and actions aimed at influencing Moldova’s European path.

“Money has replaced ideology,” Alexandru Musteata stressed, explaining that organizing protests, spreading disinformation, recruiting people for various tasks, and carrying out cyberattacks require financial resources.

The SIS director said that protests represented a democratic tool available to citizens; however, in certain cases, they can become a business when participants are paid to take to streets. According to him, the authorities monitor such demonstrations and assess the associated risks.

Alexandru Musteata also drew attention to the complexity of illicit financing mechanisms. While shell companies and numerous transactions were previously used to transfer money, cryptocurrencies are now also being used, which can make it more difficult to identify the origin of the funds.

The SIS chief said that Russia, with the help of Ilan Shor, who has been convicted in Moldova, had developed mechanisms for bringing money into the country to influence electoral processes. He stressed that the phenomenon had grown significantly and that cooperation among the responsible institutions is essential to combat it.

According to Musteata, funding is also necessary for disinformation and propaganda campaigns, recruiting individuals to carry out specific tasks and cyberattacks, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

“Follow the money and you will find out who is behind the activities,” the SIS director said, explaining that analyzing financial flows can help identify the coordinators and individuals involved in carrying out the operations.

The official also noted that psychological warfare is not limited to electoral periods, but is an ongoing process. According to him, repeated messages distributed on social media aim to reduce citizens’ trust in state institutions and undermine support for Moldova’s European path.

Alexandru Musteata said that these campaigns may involve not only IT and finance specialists, but also people who understand mass psychology. The messages are crafted to appear authentic. In the context, the SIS director emphasized the importance of identifying funding sources and coordinators.

The Moldova Security Forum 2026 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.





Fereastră în fereastră (iframe)