Analysis: Moldova in the crosshairs of Russian hybrid campaign as election nears

Moldova, a small but geopolitically significant country between the EU and Russia, faces a multifaceted Russian hybrid campaign ahead of its parliamentary elections in February 2024. Russia seeks to influence Moldova's political landscape by exploiting its internal divisions, supporting pro-Russian parties, spreading disinformation, inciting social unrest, and leveraging economic and energy dependencies. The campaign includes efforts such as weaponizing energy supplies, information warfare targeting the Moldovan population, and attempts to destabilize Moldova's government and derail its aspirations toward EU accession. Despite strong EU diplomatic and financial support for Moldovan democracy and reforms, the Kremlin's complex hybrid tactics continue to undermine stability on the ground. The article highlights Moscow's use of proxies and disinformation alongside economic levers, and warns of the broader implications for European security if Moldova falters amid this pressure.