A DFRLab investigation [is] revealing a highly organized, well-resourced disinformation campaign operating across Moldova’s online ecosystem. By leveraging inauthentic accounts, automation, and aggressive messaging strategies, the operation sought to erode trust in democratic institutions, amplify opposition figures, and stoke anti-European sentiment.

• 4,484 coordinated accounts: 4,338 on Facebook and 146 on Telegram
• 15,284 comments posted between October 2024 and March 2025
• 132 targeted pages, primarily news organizations and government institutions
• Peak activity: December 2024 (4,428 comments) coinciding with Moldova’s energy crisis

Narrative examples

Campaign content strategically targeted different Moldovan demographics with tailored messaging, exploiting Moldova’s vulnerabilities.

An economic grievance narrative exploited Moldova’s economic challenges to undermine support for the government. Example: “Пока Санду и ПАС продолжают разворовывать бюджет, заложенный на строительство дорог, Шор со своей командой строит новые объекты по всей стране.” (“While [pro-European President] Sandu and PAS continue to plunder the budget allocated for road construction, [pro-Russian oligarch and and founder of a banned political party Ilan] Shor and his team are building new facilities throughout the country.”)

An electoral fraud narrative undermined trust in Moldova’s democratic institutions. Example: “Tot ce spune Sandu este o minciună! Referendumul a fost fraudat! Diaspora din est a fost lipsită de dreptul la vot!” (“Everything Sandu says is a lie! The referendum was rigged! The diaspora from the east was deprived of the right to vote!”)

An identity threat narrativeexploited linguistic and ethnic tensions. Example: “Санду восхваляет нацистский режим Гитлеровской Германии и загоняет наших детей на могилы румынских оккупантов.” (“Sandu praises the Nazi regime of Hitler’s Germany and drives our children to the graves of Romanian occupiers.)

An Ilan Shor rehabilitation narrative portrayed Shor positively despite his criminal conviction. Example: “Шор один из немногих политиков, который хоть что-то делает для нашего народа. Именно поэтому его запрещают.” (“Shor is one of the few politicians who at least does something for our people. That’s why he is banned.”)