russia is almost certainly conducting an extensive interference campaign targeting the Moldovan parliamentary elections, due to take place on September 28, 2025, aiming to increase russian influence in the country. Mis- and dis-information is being disseminated widely across multiple traditional and social media platforms and outlets, including BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, and X. This effort is almost certainly directed by the russian state, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Narratives include false allegations of corruption and abuse of power by the incumbent Moldovan government, false claims that the Moldovan government has compromised the integrity of the election, and false claims that Moldova's European partners are undermining its security.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: Vladimir Putin Inflates Numbers in the Zapad-2025 Military Drills
Should the ruling party win a majority of seats in the election, russian-backed information actors will almost certainly promote narratives undermining the integrity of the election.
As Defense Express previously reported, the Federal National Guard Service of the russian federation (Rosgvardiya) has established tank units, part of a wider expansion of its heavy weaponry, according to its chief (and russian President Vladimir Putin's former bodyguard), Viktor Zolotov.
Rosgvardiya, up to 400,000 strong, reports directly to Vladimir Putin and is not a part of russia's Ministry of Defense. Its primary intended purpose is to provide domestic security to ensure the continuity of the russian regime.
Rosgvardiya units have deployed to Ukraine, playing an important role in rear-area security operations. Some units have also participated in frontline combat, despite being ill-suited for the intense fighting.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: Rosgvardiya Tanks May Join Fighting in Ukraine
