How russia attempts to create an illusion of mass support for russians in Moldova
ru-propaganda is attempting to create the illusion of mass protest among the population of Moldova against the government’s decision to expel three russian diplomats.
To do this, a staged report was filmed near the Chișinău airport, showing a so-called demonstration in support of the russian diplomats. The decision to expel them was based on their involvement in helping convicted Moldovan MP Alexandr Nesterovschi—closely tied to pro-russian forces—flee the country.
Moldova is consistently working to reduce the influence of the “russian world” on its territory, recognizing it as a threat to statehood. The Center has previously reported on the closure of the russian center for science and culture in Chișinău.
Still, the russian foreign ministry responds to legitimate accusations of subversive activity by repeating claims of “external control” and “russophobia”—narratives already well-known in Ukraine. But the identical signs held by protesters and their very small number suggest that even these carefully staged “protests” orchestrated by russia have no real support among the population of Moldova.
