Russian Operatives Spread Fake News to Disrupt Moldova's Elections

The Shadow Network: How Russian-Funded Fake News Threatens to Disrupt European Elections In the lead-up to Moldova's parliamentary elections on September 28, a secret network of operatives has been secretly manipulating public opinion with fake news and propaganda. The BBC investigation has uncovered a complex web of deceit, revealing how this Russian-funded operation aims to disrupt the democratic process in Eastern Europe. At the heart of this story is Alina Juk, a Moldovan national who serves as the network's coordinator. In an undercover sting, our reporter captured Juk discussing the disinformation campaign with other operatives. "We need to create a narrative that the ruling party will lose," she said, outlining the plan to secretly record supporters of the opposition and publish fake poll results online. The operation is linked to Ilan Shor, a Moldovan oligarch sanctioned by the US for his alleged role in promoting Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns. Shor's involvement raises questions about the extent of Russian interference in Moldova's politics. But what exactly is this shadow network, and how does it work? Our investigation reveals that participants are paid to post pro-Russian propaganda on social media, often using fake accounts or stolen identities. They also engage in "selective sampling," secretly recording supporters of the opposition and publishing manipulated poll results online. The results of these efforts have already been published online, with one such poll claiming that the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) will lose the election. However, official polls suggest otherwise – PAS is currently ahead of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP). As Moldova prepares to go to the polls, concerns about electoral integrity are growing. "The spread of disinformation can have a significant impact on voter turnout and confidence in the democratic process," says Maria Grapini, a Romanian MEP who has been monitoring the situation. But not everyone is convinced that Russian interference is a major concern. "We need to be careful not to jump to conclusions about external influences," says Alexandru Guja, a Moldovan analyst who has written extensively on the country's politics. "The real issue here is the lack of transparency and accountability in our electoral system." As the election draws near, it remains to be seen whether this shadow network will succeed in its efforts to disrupt the democratic process. One thing is certain, however: the spread of disinformation poses a significant threat to the integrity of European elections. In an era where fake news and propaganda are increasingly prevalent, it's more important than ever for journalists and citizens alike to stay vigilant and demand transparency from those in power. The fate of Moldova's election – and the future of democracy itself – hangs in the balance. Timeline: September 28: Moldovan parliamentary elections August 2022: BBC investigation begins, undercover reporter infiltrates shadow network July 2022: Ilan Shor sanctioned by US for alleged role in promoting Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns Key Players: Alina Juk: Network coordinator and key figure in the shadow operation Ilan Shor: Moldovan oligarch linked to the shadow network, sanctioned by US Maria Grapini: Romanian MEP who has been monitoring the situation Alexandru Guja: Moldovan analyst who has written extensively on the country's politics Sources: BBC investigation (August 2022) Official polls and election results Interviews with experts and officials *Based on reporting by Bbc.*