Gordon: Kremlin’s plan for Moldova poses grave risk to Europe
Russia has a plan to install a pro-Russian government in Moldova during the upcoming September elections. This scenario poses a significant threat not only to Ukraine and Moldova but to all of Europe, according to Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon, who cites sources with knowledge of the Kremlin's intentions.
Following internal conflicts within Putin's administration, control over Moldova's leadership has been fully transferred to Sergei Kiriyenko. Dmitry Kozak has been removed from his position, and his expected new role is as the special representative for the North-Western district. It is Kiriyenko’s team, now endowed with new powers, that has devised and is already executing a comprehensive plan to gain power in Moldova ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. According to sources, this scenario poses a significant threat not only to Chisinau but also to Ukraine and Europe as a whole, as noted by journalist Dmitry Gordon.
Data obtained by Gordon indicates that at least $350 million has been allocated to implement this plan. Part of these funds is designated for bribing voters and establishing a controlled majority in parliament. Approximately $30 million is specifically earmarked for organizing transportation and compensating voters in Transnistrian region, which has a population of about 200,000 residents.
According to his sources, after the elections, the Kremlin plans to elevate its most loyal supporters to key positions across various sectors, including parliament, law enforcement, security agencies, financial institutions, and the judiciary. The objective is to establish complete control over the power structure.
The Ukrainian journalist notes, “In the materials that the sources have had access to, the names of businessmen Ilan Shor and Vladimir Plahotniuc, along with the Moldovan parties they control, frequently appear. The Kremlin aims to leverage their financial and political resources, as well as their influence over the Moldovan and regional elite.”
A critical aspect of this scenario involves regaining control over strategic locations, such as the Chisinau airport and the ability to land transport planes in Balti. This is connected to plans for transferring personnel and resources to the region.
“Additionally, there is a scenario being considered where Moldova is used as a launch point against Ukraine. The Kremlin is discussing the recruitment of at least 10,000 citizens with European passports, intending to gradually infiltrate the EU and the UK. Over the course of the year, they plan to transport weapons, ammunition, and up to 40,000 mercenaries from various regions, including Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, to Transnistrian region. This operation will occur under the guise of business and labor employment,” the sources for Gordon specify.
According to reports, Moscow believes that within 18 months, with the support of air strikes and naval operations, it will be possible to conduct an operation to capture the western part of the Odessa region. Concurrently, there are plans to seize governmental structures in Moldova, which would remain beyond control.
An indirect confirmation of these ambitions surfaced with the release of a video featuring a briefing by the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army, Valery Gerasimov. In this video, a map is visible behind him, clearly indicating the Odessa and Nikolaev regions as part of the Russian Federation. Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon highlights that this development is being widely discussed in the media as a potential reflection of Moscow's strategic goals, which involve asserting power in the Republic of Moldova.
Sources close to Gordon indicate that this is only part of a larger plan. The documents also reportedly contain a section outlining how to control the media and establish financing schemes for a new puppet regime.
