Russia Plans Series Of ‘Hybrid’ Attacks Before Moldova Elections

Russia wants to use deepfakes.

Russia plans to stage a “hybrid” attack on Moldova on the eve of its presidential election and referendum on joining the European Union, Bloomberg reports, citing sources familiar with British intelligence data.

According to the sources of the agency, the UK will share intelligence with the Moldovan authorities to help it counter the threat from Russian agents in the coming months.

On Tuesday, April 30, Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi will meet in London with British Minister of Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani to discuss “subversive Russian interference.” In addition, the meeting will be held by the defence ministers of the two countries.

According to Popșoi, in its “hybrid” attacks, the Kremlin will use various methods, in particular, deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence and bribery to undermine democracy in Moldova.

Elections in Moldova are to be held on October 20. The pro-European President of Moldova Maia Sandu will run for a second term. On the same day, a referendum on the country's accession to the EU will be held.