Russian Disinformation Campaign Targets Moldova’s Upcoming Elections

A sophisticated effort by Russian-linked actors is seeking to sway public opinion ahead of Moldova’s September 28, 2025, vote, raising concerns over foreign interference in the nation’s democratic process.

Analysis of these sites revealed a technical fingerprint linking them to absatz.media—a Kremlin-tied propaganda outlet first registered in mid-2021.

The overlap in unique code snippets and shared hosting infrastructure strongly suggests a common developer or operator behind both campaigns, pointing to a concerted effort by the Russian threat group known as “Storm-1679” or “Matryoshka.”

A newly discovered network of Moldovan-focused websites, active since April 2025, demonstrates clear signs of Russian influence operations aimed at dissuading voters from pursuing closer ties with Europe.

None of the 2025 Moldovan disinformation sites declare ownership or editorial oversight, indicating deliberate attempts to conceal the true sponsors.

In contrast, absatz.media publicly names “Shakhnazarov M. S.” as editor-in-chief—a pseudonym traceable to Mikhail Sergeyevich Shakhnazarov, a sanctioned propagandist in Ukraine.

Both efforts leverage dedicated IP addresses and mirrored site templates, reinforcing the conclusion that Absatz is actively orchestrating this election influence operation.

Connections to Legacy Propaganda

Absatz.media was first detected online in October 2021 and formally registered with Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, in March 2022.

Since then, its codebase and hosting ASN have remained largely unchanged, hosting dozens of articles targeting Moldova, Ukraine, NATO, and Western governments with skewed narratives.

A machine-translated site disclaimer reveals its registration under LLC “Intaria,” editorial headquarters on Butyrsky Val Street in Moscow, and editorial leadership under Shakhnazarov—consistent with public sanctions records.

Technical analysis uncovered two new domains—absatz.media and abzac.media (which redirects to Absatz)—hosted on IP 5.188.179.181, alongside legacy disinformation sites from 2022 and the fresh 2025 campaign.

This infrastructure reuse, combined with identical hidden code markers, cannot be explained by coincidence; it indicates intentional developer reuse or direct management by those behind Absatz.

The 2025 Moldovan sites spread narratives designed to undermine trust in the incumbent government and its pro-European coalition.

Common tropes include allegations of electoral manipulation, corruption among EU-aligned leaders, and warnings of societal collapse should Moldova continue its Western integration.

Headlines such as “Moldova’s Democratic Institutions Under Siege” and “Western Puppets Threaten Moldova’s Sovereignty” echo earlier articles on Absatz.media, revealing a consistent playbook of fear-mongering and nationalist rhetoric.

Social media amplification has played a crucial role. Dozens of low-quality accounts across Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok share links to these sites, giving the illusion of grassroots support. Such “sock puppet” accounts often lack genuine engagement, serving solely to boost disinformation reach and lend false credibility to the narratives.

Implications for Moldova’s Vote

Moldova’s elections will decide whether the small, landlocked republic continues its pivot toward the European Union or drifts back under Russian influence.

With a fragile information environment and a polarized electorate, the arrival of a well-resourced disinformation campaign threatens to erode public trust and shape voter perceptions.

The technical ties to a sanctioned propagandist underscore the Kremlin’s persistent reliance on covert influence operations to advance geopolitical objectives.

Authorities in Chisinau face the challenge of detecting and countering these covert networks in real time. Strengthening digital literacy, collaborating with international fact-checking organizations, and monitoring malicious infrastructure are critical measures to safeguard the integrity of the ballot.

As Moldova heads to the polls on September 28, vigilance against foreign manipulation will be essential.

The revelations about Absatz’s involvement highlight a broader trend of multi-year Russian disinformation campaigns targeting global democratic institutions—an ominous reminder that information warfare remains a key instrument of statecraft in the twenty-first century.

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