How Russian-funded fake news network aims to disrupt election in Europe
7 hours ago
- #Russia-Moldova
- #election-interference
- #disinformation
- A Russian-funded network is attempting to disrupt Moldova's upcoming parliamentary election by spreading pro-Russian propaganda and fake news.
- Participants were paid to post disinformation, secretly record opposition supporters, and conduct illegal polls to undermine the pro-EU ruling party.
- The network is linked to Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, who is sanctioned by the US and UK for corruption and Kremlin-backed influence operations.
- A non-profit organization, Evrazia, connected to Shor, was also sanctioned for allegedly bribing Moldovans to vote against EU membership.
- The network uses Telegram to coordinate, recruits social media operatives, and pays them via a sanctioned Russian state-owned bank.
- Disinformation tactics include false claims about election fraud, EU membership conditions, and child trafficking by President Sandu.
- The network operates at least 90 TikTok accounts, amassing millions of views and likes, targeting Moldova's small population.
- Participants were trained to subtly sway poll respondents and secretly record opposition supporters to fabricate evidence of election rigging.
- Evidence suggests the network is funded from Russia, with handlers requesting money from Moscow to pay operatives.
- TikTok and Meta were contacted about the findings, with TikTok claiming additional security measures, while Meta did not respond.