July 06, 2023
Kicking up dust around Zaporizhzhia
Ever since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last February, Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been a hot-button issue.
Moldova
Since the early days of its independence, Moldova has been the target of a wide array of Russian information manipulation and interference, including disinformation. Since Moldovans have elected a pro-European president and government, these efforts only intensified and the Kremlin is now applying a full spectre of hybrid tools to weaken the state institutions and foster instability. The EU candidate status that Moldova gained in 2022 and its continuous building of capacity and resilience against disinformation and information manipulation are constant pressure points for Russia.
The East Stratcom Task Force has been closely observing the media and disinformation landscape in Moldova. Below is our collection of articles on disinformation and information manipulation targeting Moldova.
22 articles
June 01, 2023
‘War is being waged against Russia on all fronts’
With an intensifying missile and drone barrage against Ukraine, the Russian leadership is pushing the masses into an “all or nothing” logic which blends hyper-patriotism with paranoia.
March 16, 2023
Kremlin fighting on many fronts - to avoid responsibility
On the battlefield and in the information space, Russia is busy manipulating. Sugar-coating its missile attacks; blaming the EU or Ukraine for global food insecurity; or jailing critics of the Mariupol bombings a year ago.
March 03, 2023
A Russian psychological operation pressures Moldova
More Kremlin lies are sowing distrust and anxiety. Russian state media claim Ukraine is preparing to invade Moldova’s Transnistria region. We investigate.
February 16, 2023
How Moldova is trying to regain control of its informational space
In December, the Moldovan Commission for Emergency Situations suspended the broadcasting licenses of six pro-Russian TV stations. They are still active, however, through web platforms, social media or, in some cases, on other TV channels.
February 16, 2023
Nothing to see here, look over there
Last week, the pro-Kremlin information manipulation ecosystem spewed a mixture of old narratives, tactics making repeat appearances and opportunistic attempts to dismiss, distort, distract, and dismiss.
December 15, 2022
Kremlin ABC: Adapt focus. Blame others. Cancel events.
When things get difficult, the Kremlin Playbook suggests the following steps: shift the focus away from yourself, or blame others (the West) or cancel meetings to avoid facing criticism. EU and Kosovo in focus.
November 04, 2022
Smoke, mirrors and gas: the Kremlin deflects blame for the energy crisis
Kremlin propagandists pretend that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has nothing to do with any bad consequences of their attack. Instead, they blame Western sanctions for the economic difficulties that their own actions have brought about.
June 30, 2022
Chased into Europe’s Embrace
Pro-Kremlin disinformation seeks to damage, divide and discourage Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia from European integration and recycles old myths about Eastern Partnership to obstruct the process.
April 28, 2022
On a wild goose chase ahead of the 9th of May
More than two months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin’s disinformation machine is showing no signs of wear and tear. If anything, the contrary. Not least because the 9th of May – Europe Day for some, Victory Day for others – is approaching rapidly.
