Russian Disinfo in Moldova
Two Russian disinformation networks, Pravda and Matryoshka, have been uncovered by fact-checkers both in Moldova and across Europe. According to government spokesperson Daniel Voda, their aim is to sow division, manipulate public opinion, and erode trust in the state ahead of Moldova’s parliamentary elections next autumn, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES
“These networks are no surprise to us,” Voda stated. “They use clone sites, fake pages, and shocking headlines to spread false narratives in both villages and cities.” He added that such tactics have also reached Moldovans living abroad, where unverified messages are sometimes picked up by international media.
Voda revealed that Russia has spent around €200 million—about 1% of Moldova’s GDP—on propaganda and disinformation efforts. “With that money, we could have built schools or hospitals. Instead, lies were funded,” he said.
Urging citizens to rely on trustworthy sources, Voda emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it. “Our freedom depends on how we protect our information space. Don't let lies travel faster than the truth,” he concluded.
