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Moldova's president accuses Russia of conducting 'hybrid war' ahead of key elections - WTOP News

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 21:43 GMT by WTOP News
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Moldovan President Accuses Russia of “Hybrid Warfare” Ahead of Pivotal 2025 Elections

In a sharp escalation of tensions that has drawn international scrutiny, Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Friday publicly charged the Russian Federation with orchestrating a “hybrid war” against her government. The accusations come a few weeks before the country’s crucial national elections—scheduled for October 2025—when Moldova’s political future, its relationship with the European Union, and its uneasy ties with the breakaway Transnistrian region will be put to the test.

The “Hybrid War” Allegations

In a televised address to the nation on WTOP‑news’ partner network, President Sandu described Russia’s interference as a “systematic campaign” that blends cyber‑attacks, disinformation, political infiltration, and covert support for opposition groups. She cited a recent surge in targeted phishing campaigns that compromised government servers, the flooding of Moldovan social‑media channels with Kremlin‑backed propaganda, and the financing of local pro‑Russian politicians as clear evidence of a coordinated strategy.

Sandu’s words resonate with a longer history of Russian meddling in Moldovan politics. In 2019, a controversial parliamentary election saw the pro‑Russian Party of Socialists come to power under a disputed vote, a victory that many analysts said was aided by Kremlin influence. More recently, the Moldovan security agency has reported a spike in “external influence operations” that allegedly seek to undermine public trust in the Moldovan electoral system.

“We are witnessing an unprecedented assault on our democracy,” Sandu warned. “This is not an abstract political rivalry; it is a deliberate attempt to destabilize our nation’s institutions and to steer the upcoming elections in favor of actors hostile to European integration.”

The 2025 Elections: Stakes and Schedule

The upcoming elections in Moldova will determine the composition of the 101‑seat parliament, the president’s successor, and the direction of the country’s foreign policy. Analysts predict that the contest will pit President Sandu’s pro‑EU coalition—comprising the Liberal Party and the Democratic Party—against a coalition of opposition parties that includes the Socialist Party, the Christian Democratic Peasants’ Party, and several smaller factions with alleged ties to Russia.

International observers, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union, have expressed concerns over the fairness of the electoral process, citing Russia’s interference as a potential threat to democratic integrity. The European Commission’s “European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument” (ENPI) has pledged additional support to ensure transparent campaigning and to counter disinformation.

In addition to national elections, local elections will take place in September. These will decide the political leadership of Transnistria’s de facto administration—an area of strategic importance that has remained under Russian military influence since the 1992 conflict that followed the Soviet Union’s collapse.

International Reactions

The United States, in a joint statement with EU officials, condemned the alleged interference and urged Russia to refrain from meddling in sovereign elections. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. would “provide additional assistance to Moldovan authorities to safeguard their cyber‑infrastructure and to counter disinformation.”

In Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba praised Moldova’s “courageous stance” against external aggression, underscoring the solidarity between the two post‑Soviet states that share a fraught relationship with Russia. He also hinted at a potential security partnership that would allow Ukraine to share intelligence on Russian covert operations.

Russia, on the other hand, has been silent on the specific accusations. However, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson released a brief statement denouncing the Moldovan government’s “political instability” and suggesting that Moldovan leaders are “exploiting the country’s vulnerabilities for the benefit of external powers.” The statement ended with a call for “regional stability and the protection of Russian interests” in Eastern Europe.

Internal Security Measures

Following the announcement, President Sandu instructed the National Security and Intelligence Service (NSIS) to increase surveillance of known extremist networks, to strengthen cyber‑defense protocols across public institutions, and to provide digital security training for parliamentary staff. The NSIS is also expected to work closely with NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn to identify and neutralize Russian cyber‑operations.

Additionally, Sandu announced the creation of an independent “Election Integrity Task Force” that will oversee the preparation of electoral logistics, including ballot security and voter registration. The Task Force will include representatives from civil society organizations and international election observers.

Regional Implications

Moldova’s accusations could have ripple effects across the region. With Russia’s influence still palpable in the breakaway republic of Transnistria, the Moldovan president’s call for a united front against hybrid warfare may prompt other Eastern European states to re‑evaluate their own security postures. The possibility of a coordinated “EU‑Moldovan” initiative to strengthen border security, counter disinformation, and provide joint cyber‑defense could become a tangible reality.

Meanwhile, Russia may intensify its efforts in neighboring Ukraine and Belarus to undermine pro‑Western movements. As the world watches, the 2025 Moldovan elections will not only decide who sits in Parliament, but also whether the country can maintain its trajectory toward European integration or if it will be pulled back into Russia’s orbit.

Looking Ahead

President Maia Sandu’s stark condemnation of Russia’s alleged hybrid war underscores a critical juncture for Moldova. Whether the country will successfully shield its democratic institutions from foreign interference—and what role it will play in a broader European security architecture—remains to be seen. As the nation gears up for the elections, international observers and domestic stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see if the Moldovan people can choose a path free from external manipulation.