Moldova’s Response to Hybrid Attacks

A Learning-by-doing Strategy

Titelbild Moldovas Response to Hybrid Threats

Moldova has been a target of Russian disinformation since gaining its independence. This is enabled especially by Russian language influence efforts directed toward the local population. Following the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the Russian embassy and occials from Moscow have issued numerous statements in regards to the activities of the Moldovan authorities, further fuelling a sentiment of fear among population. Statements concerned the treatment of Russian minorities, the state of affairs in Transnistria, and Moldova’s legislation regarding separatism.

This paper provides an empirical review of Moldova’s counter-hybrid campaign and is part of the HCSS Counter-Hybrid Campaign Project. The case study of Moldova brings insights into Moldovan context and lines of response to the hybrid threats, that significantly increased following Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The example is relevant as it shows the importance of preventive policies that build resilience and strengthen security and defence of the country, in order to be able to identify and respond to hybrid threats.

You can read the full paper here.