How Russian-funded fake news network aims to disrupt European election - BBC investigation

The Shadow Network: How Russian-Funded Fake News Aims to Disrupt European Elections In the small town of Orhei, Moldova, a group of locals gathered in a cramped community center, unaware that they were about to become pawns in a larger game of electoral manipulation. Our undercover reporter, posing as a participant, was there to witness firsthand how a secret Russian-funded network planned to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections. The network's co-ordinator, Alina Juk, stood at the front of the room, issuing instructions on how to spread pro-Russian propaganda and fake news online. "We need people who can create content that will influence public opinion," she said, her voice steady and confident. "Those who participate will be paid for their work." As the meeting concluded, our reporter was approached by a participant who introduced himself as Alexei. He expressed his concerns about the network's activities, saying, "I don't want to be involved in something that could harm my country." This candid moment would become a pivotal thread throughout our investigation. The Context: A Nation Divided Moldova, a small Eastern European state sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, has long been a battleground for competing interests. The country's pro-EU ruling party, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), founded by President Maia Sandu, has faced opposition from the Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP), backed by Moscow. The BEP's ties to Russia have raised concerns about the influence of external actors in Moldova's internal politics. The US has sanctioned one of its key figures, oligarch Ilan Shor, for his alleged role in "the Kremlin's malign influence operations." The Disinformation Campaign Our investigation revealed that the secret network had been operating in Moldova for months, using social media platforms to spread disinformation and propaganda. Participants were paid to create content that would undermine the PAS, while also secretly recording supporters of the opposition party. One participant, who wished to remain anonymous, described how they were instructed to carry out a so-called poll on behalf of a non-existent organization. "We were told it was for research purposes," they said, "but I suspect it was just a way to gather information about the ruling party's supporters." The results of this selective sampling, an organiser from the network suggested, could be used to question the outcome of the election. The poll's findings, which predicted the PAS would lose, have already been published online. Multiple Perspectives We spoke with experts and officials on both sides of the divide to gain a deeper understanding of the situation. "The Russian government is trying to undermine Moldova's sovereignty," said a spokesperson for the PAS. "Their actions are a clear attempt to influence our internal politics." A representative from the BEP countered, "We're not against the EU or NATO, but we believe in maintaining good relations with Russia. The opposition is using disinformation to discredit us." The Impact: A Threat to Democracy As Moldova prepares for its 28 September parliamentary elections, concerns about electoral manipulation have grown. The use of fake news and propaganda by external actors threatens to undermine the integrity of the democratic process. "This is not just a problem for Moldova," said a European Union official. "It's a threat to democracy across Europe. We need to take action to prevent foreign interference in our elections." Conclusion As we left Orhei, Alexei approached us once more, his eyes filled with concern. "I hope this story gets out," he said. "We can't let them get away with this." His words echoed the sentiments of many Moldovans who are fighting to protect their country's democracy from external manipulation. The shadow network may have been exposed, but its impact on the upcoming elections remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the battle for truth and transparency in Moldova has only just begun. *Based on reporting by Bbc.*