### Moldova Accuses Kremlin of Interference Ahead of Critical Elections

Moldovan authorities have accused Kremlin-linked actors of employing various nefarious tactics to disrupt the nation's upcoming elections. These methods reportedly include voter bribery, false bomb threats, and inciting protesters to antagonize police. The small ex-Soviet state's electoral contest on October 20, featuring a presidential vote and a key referendum on EU membership, has become a focal point in the wider struggle between pro-Russian and pro-European influences.

Securing EU membership would fortify Moldova's ties to the West and limit Russia's regional influence. Historically, votes to join the EU have often been precursors to joining NATO, a move opposed by Russia. Authorities in Moldova have pointed fingers at a complex web of Russian operatives engaged in actions like vote-buying, money laundering, and illegal financing to sway the election outcomes against EU alignment.

The U.S. has pledged $136 million to Moldova this year to reduce energy dependency on Russia and to counter disinformation campaigns. National police chief Viorel Cernauteanu revealed that more than 130,000 Moldovans, about 5% of the electorate, had accepted bribes from a Russia-managed network to vote against the EU referendum and to favor pro-Russian candidates. Cernauteanu labeled it an "unprecedented, direct attack" on Moldova's electoral process.

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin has also taken note, urging Meta, Alphabet, and Google to allocate resources to combat disinformation in Moldova. He cited the transfer of $15 million in September to Russian bank accounts as evidence of ongoing interference. Meanwhile, pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, who lives in exile, recently offered payments on Telegram to voters willing to oppose the EU referendum. Convicted in a massive embezzlement scandal last year, Shor is believed to operate within a broader network of Russian state actors aiming to prevent Moldova from joining the EU.

Current President Maia Sandu, who is seeking re-election, emphasizes the importance of the upcoming vote as a litmus test for her pro-European stance. Sandu has long accused Moscow of attempting to destabilize her government—a claim Moscow denies. In contrast, Shor describes Moldova under Sandu as having turned into a "police state," criticizing the recent detention of five of his supporters on charges of unlawful political financing.

Moldova has alternated between pro-Russian and pro-Western governments since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. With a populace consisting of a Romanian-speaking majority and a Russian-speaking minority, the nation is deeply divided. Deputy Chief of Mission Anton Lungu expressed his support for the EU referendum, asserting that Moldova is on a path of reform and change. He also warned of ongoing Russian efforts to maintain influence until Election Day.

Ahead of the elections, Russian proxies in Moldova have reportedly been trained to antagonize police, provoking them to use tear gas and other measures to escalate tensions. These proxies are allegedly paid to sleep in protest camps and contribute to an atmosphere of "controlled chaos" through tactics like fake bomb threats and cyberattacks on schools and government buildings.

In September, Moldovan police arrested two individuals for vandalizing government buildings. These individuals were discovered to be part of a group of 20 young people sent to Moscow for training in destabilization tactics, each receiving over $5,000 to carry out their missions. Expert Rebekah Koffler relates Russia's interference tactics to the U.S. Monroe Doctrine, which historically warned European nations against meddling in the Americas. The doctrine has been symbolically invoked in defense policies against adversaries like Russia and China.

Russia's long-standing strategic objective to maintain a buffer zone of influence around its borders is driving its efforts to meddle in Moldova, as the nation grapples with the existential question of EU membership and its future geopolitical orientation.