Western intelligence reports suggest Russia is targeting Moldova as a strategic staging ground to undermine European security and influence regional elections.
Key facts
- •Vladimir Putin reportedly set a goal for 2026 to cause the internal collapse of NATO and the EU.
- •Moldovan priests were allegedly paid $1,000 to campaign against the country's EU integration referendum.
- •Training camps in Serbia, Bosnia, and near Moscow taught participants to use rifles, drones, and explosives.
- •Moldovan authorities detained individuals who attended the training camps in the weeks leading up to the September 28, 2025, election.
- •Over 100 young Moldovans reportedly attended a training camp outside Moscow to learn about incendiary materials.
According to reports from The New York Times citing Western intelligence officials, Vladimir Putin set a 2026 goal for the internal collapse of NATO and the EU. Moldova is identified as a central component of this strategy, serving as a potential staging ground for further aggression against Ukraine and the West. While Putin has publicly dismissed claims of Russian threats to Europe as "nonsense," intelligence sources indicate that Moscow is actively working to exert control over the Moldovan state.
By the numbers
Interference in Moldovan Elections
Ahead of Moldova’s parliamentary elections on September 28, 2025, Russia allegedly employed cyberattacks, disinformation, and vote-buying to influence the outcome. Reports indicate that Moldovan priests were recruited to campaign against the country’s EU integration referendum, with some receiving Promsvyazbank debit cards and payments of $1,000 to sway parishioners. Despite these efforts, President Maia Sandu’s party maintained its parliamentary majority.
Training Camps and Paramilitary Activities
Western intelligence officials reported that training camps were established in Serbia, Bosnia, and near Moscow to prepare Moldovan citizens for civil disruption. Participants were trained in handling rifles, breaching police lines, and using explosives or drones for arson. Moldovan prosecutors stated that over 100 individuals attended the Moscow-based camp. In response, Moldovan authorities conducted raids on hundreds of homes and detained individuals linked to these training programs prior to the September elections.
Strategic Objectives
Stanislav Secrieru, Moldova’s presidential adviser on national security, stated that Russia aims to use Moldova as a springboard for hostile activities against Ukraine and the European Union. The Kremlin reportedly hopes to secure a land corridor through southern Ukraine to link Russian territory directly to Moldova. Mihai Lupașcu, director of Moldova’s Agency for Cybersecurity, noted that while the government successfully defended against recent election interference, the broader conflict remains ongoing.
Timeline
- Summer 2025A training camp for Moldovan citizens was established in Serbia.
- September 28, 2025Moldova held parliamentary elections that were the target of alleged Russian interference.
- Late 2025Vladimir Putin held a briefing with military commanders to set goals for 2026.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Meduza (English).
