Russia is preparing "hybrid war" in Moldova: it wants to divert attention from Ukraine, - ISW
Russia is trying to divert the world’s attention from the war in Ukraine. For this, the aggressor country plans to destabilize the internal situation in neighboring countries.
According to analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Censor.NET informs.
Analysts cited one of the latest threats by Foreign Minister Serhiy Lavrov, who said on November 30 that Moldova is "the next victim of a hybrid war."
"Lavrov's threat may have emboldened some pro-Russian players to try to sow political instability and division in Moldova," ISW writes.
The pro-Russian head of the Moldovan region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Hutsul, said on December 1 that the Moldovan state energy company "Moldovagaz" blocked Gagauzia from receiving gas from a Turkish supplier with whom the pro-Russian regional government of Gagauzia negotiated outside state contracts. Hutsul said that Moldovagaz sells gas at a higher price than the Turkish supplier.
The day before, Moldovan President Maia Sandu rejected Hutsul's request for a visit because she is a member of the banned political party Shore, which ISW recalled was used by Russia to promote pro-Russian interests and political instability in Moldova until the Moldovan Constitutional Court banned the party in June in 2023.
"Russia conducted an alleged campaign to destabilize Moldova in early 2023, and Russia may try to renew these efforts to divert the attention of the international community from the war in Ukraine," analysts say.
