By EUvsDisinfo
In recent days, the Kremlin-backed Matryoshka disinformation network has launched a new blitz aimed squarely at Moldova’s President Maia Sandu, just ahead of the upcoming EU-Moldova Summit in Chișinău on 4 July, 2025. What is a high-profile diplomatic event without a dose of Russian Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI)?
According to an investigation by The Insider (read their full report here), the latest Russian FIMI campaign is being pushed through a series of fake videos disseminated on social media. One is a fake clip falsely claiming that HRVP Kaja Kallas has suddenly refused to attend the summit, allegedly due to some deep, mysterious rift with Sandu. The video is branded as a report from The Insider itself, in an effort to make it look official.
Conspiracy of a fabricated feud
The Matryoshka bots also float the absurd claim that Sandu is trying to replace Kallas as head of the EU’s diplomatic service, claiming they uncovered ‘proof’ of Sandu’s supposed scheming. Spoiler alert: this evidence does not exist. The fictional rivalry between Sandu and Kallas has been spread by the Matryoshka network since late May, with a peak in coordinated activity on 19 June, just in time for the EU-Moldova Summit. This goes hand in hand with other Kremlin disinformation narratives on the upcoming high-level event, such as falsely spreading the claim that the EU-Moldova Summit is an attempt by Brussels to interfere in the Moldovan elections.
False narratives to undermine trust
Other false stories in the Matryoshka campaign include a video, disguised as a Euronews report, that claims Romanian intelligence warned of a ‘terrorist threat’ at the summit, while another clip, pretending to be from the French news site Le Point, alleges that EU officials are ready to remove Sandu from office for failing to steer Moldova on a European path.
The bots have also accused Sandu’s government of corruption, wasting money on the EU summit, and creating ‘ghost voters’ by extending the country’s legal period for registering a death.
What is the Matryoshka network?
Matryoshka is an ongoing disinformation campaign that began in September 2023. It operates in two coordinated phases. First, a small group of social media accounts post fake content, primarily false news reports or fabricated images. Then, another group (‘quoters’) amplifies this content by replying to posts from public figures, media outlets, and fact-checkers, often tagging them or asking them to verify the material.
The content typically impersonates trusted Western media and institutions, using their visual styles to appear credible. In the past, it has primarily spread anti-Ukrainian messages, discredited public figures, and promoted pro-Russian narratives. Much of this material originates from Russian-language Telegram channels and is believed to be created or distributed through coordinated efforts, possibly involving paid actors. The goal of the campaign is to manipulate online discourse and undermine trust in legitimate information sources.
FIMI strikes ahead of elections
In short, the Matryoshka network has once again proven its intention to mislead and confuse the public, spreading disinformation, and undermining Moldova’s efforts to align more closely with the EU. With each fabricated video and false claim, the aim is to create confusion, erode confidence in Moldova’s democracy, and destabilise the country’s position within Europe. All while undermining the upcoming elections. As the vote draws nearer, it is evident that Russia’s information warfare apparatus is prepared to craft any narrative that can weaken trust in Moldova’s democratic institutions and its European aspirations.
Also on our EUvsDisinfo radar this week:
– Pro-Kremlin outlets have falsely claimed that Ukraine’s bombing of Russian airbases was orchestrated by MI6, painting Kyiv as a mere proxy for British intelligence. The story tries to explain away Russia’s lack of retaliation by suggesting Putin wouldn’t strike London, framing the raid as a staged PR stunt ahead of peace talks in Istanbul. Yet, the facts tell a different tale. The attack was carried out by Ukrainian drones and operatives, with no credible evidence of British involvement. This misleading claim fits a broader Kremlin pattern, downplaying Ukrainian capabilities while exaggerating Russian dominance, despite Russia’s heavy losses and stalled advances on the battlefield.
– Furthermore, the Kremlin disinformation machine also claims that Kyiv and London are plotting provocations to derail Russia-US talks, accusing them of staging false flag attacks. These baseless allegations follow a well-known pattern of blaming others to mask Russia’s own actions. The narrative aims to paint Ukraine and the UK as warmongers resisting ‘peace’, while ignoring clear evidence that Ukraine alone carried out the June drone strikes on its own.
– Finally, last week the Kremlin also repeated its claims that Ukraine planned the March 2024 Crocus City terrorist attack in Moscow in order to destabilise Russia, citing a closed Russian investigation. In reality, there is no credible evidence linking Kyiv, which has denied any involvement. The Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate, IS-Khorasan, on the other hand did claim responsibility, and their role in the attack has been supported by US intelligence. Russia’s false narrative seeks to justify Russia’s invasion by portraying Ukraine as a terrorist state despite clear contradictory facts.
By EUvsDisinfo
