Russia's secret plan - conquering Moldova?

The multi-layered strategy, which was finalized in the spring and coordinated directly from the Kremlin, aims to weaken the chances of Moldovan President Maia Sandu and her Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) in elections scheduled for September 28.

According to those plans, the goal is to eventually remove her from power, according to the documents. The tactics, cited in the documents, include recruiting Moldovans abroad, including in Russia, to vote at polling stations in the EU and other countries, organizing protest actions and spreading disinformation on social media.

It is also alleged that compromising materials will be used to put pressure on officials to disrupt the election process. Bloomberg could not confirm whether Russia is implementing these plans in the final phase of the pre-election campaign in Moldova, but two European officials familiar with the situation said that it is "almost certain" that Russia plans to implement most of these actions.

Russia has repeatedly emphasized that it does not influence foreign elections.

"The Kremlin's goal is clear, and that is to conquer Moldova through elections, to use us against Ukraine and to turn us into a springboard for hybrid attacks on the European Union. This is why these elections are of great importance. By defending them, we protect not only Moldova, but also regional security and stability," Sandu said on September 9 before the EU parliamentarians in Strasbourg.

The EU extended full support to Moldova on its path to membership, and French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Chisinau at the end of August. Sandu's party, PAS, promises to start the EU accession process and access the necessary funds after Moldova started membership negotiations last year.

However, the latest polls suggest that PAS may lose its parliamentary majority, which could lead to an uncertain coalition, Bloomberg notes.

Moldova, located between war-torn Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania, is a key point of conflict between pro-European and pro-Russian political forces, Bloomberg explains.

The upcoming elections will be held less than a year after a referendum on whether Moldova should pursue EU membership narrowly won "yes", amid government claims of Russian interference.