A singer announces on TikTok that Ștefan cel Mare conquered Sweden. On network X, a Russian account posts a segment from director Mircea Drăgan’s film, entitled after the name of the voivode of Moldavia, and Daily Romania, another account of Kremlin propaganda, lists the bravery deeds of the ruler and his sanctification by the Orthodox Church of Romania.
„…people believe that history is a kind of childish nationalist fairy tale, instead of understanding the complex realities of the past. History becomes sentimental entertainment, not knowledge. And from here to political manipulation is just one step,” wrote Radu Oltean, a historian and graphic artist who monitors and reports misinformation on social networks.
Costi Ioniță, a music star, caused a real shock with a video in which he announced proudly and admirably that Ștefan cel Mare conducted military campaigns in Sweden and the Netherlands.
His statements have no real basis, but the message's purpose is to create controversy and sustain the discussion about the heroic times when the ruler controlled territories in Ukraine, Poland, as well as present-day Moldova.
They want to annul the elections in Moldova
The unveiling of the mystery behind the new nationalist campaign around the ruler, unfolding on social networks, is done by George Simion, the leader of AUR.
"...some little brats don't even differentiate between the Moldova of Ștefan cel Mare and the Moldova of Voronin/Dodon/Maia. That's why they want to annul the elections in Moldova and have stolen them from us in Romania...," wrote George Simion on his X/Twitter account.
In reality, we are witnessing a new bombardment of controversial messages and false information to create suspicions regarding the parliamentary elections that will take place in the Republic of Moldova at the end of September.
The goal is to instill the idea among the Romanian public that if pro-Russian forces fail to come to power, the election would have been falsified, and the new parliament in Chișinău lacks any legitimacy. For the Kremlin, imposing such an idea is essential to justify future political control operations in the neighboring country.
The Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova has banned several formations associated with Ilan Șor, a businessman accused of corruption and a refugee in Moscow, as well as a party associated with Vladimir Plahotniuc, also a Moldovan oligarch, internationally wanted and arrested in Greece.
The authorities in Chișinău have made significant efforts to ensure the participation in elections exclusively of formations that are not illegally funded and not under the control of Russian secret services.
AUR seeks to stop economic support for Chișinău
For Moldova, a return to the Kremlin's sphere of influence would mean the end of European aspirations, stagnation, and poverty. Furthermore, Chișinău would no longer benefit from the protection and military assistance offered by the EU.
"I urge you, dear citizens, to pay attention to all the false information, letters, calls, and videos with which we will be inundated in the coming period," stated Maia Sandu on August 28, at the beginning of the electoral campaign for the parliamentary elections.
George Simion, who is banned from entering the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, has already taken on the role of conveying to Romania the fact that the elections in the neighboring country will be stolen or "annulled," as he publicly announced.
In addition to the "historic" campaign, through which political forces in the country associated with the Kremlin seek to reduce interest in what is happening in Chișinău, there is another, harsher one, through which Romanians are told that the economic problems at home are generated by the aid given to Moldova.
On TikTok, there are numerous clips aiming to provoke political tensions between the two countries where residents speak the same language.
"The government of the Republic of Moldova buys energy from Romania for 40 bani per kilowatt. In return, the government in Bucharest forces Romanians to pay 1.50 lei for the same kilowatt," announces Călin Gheorghe Matieș, an AUR deputy, in a clip posted on TikTok.
Through his message, the politician aims to provoke hostility among Romanian citizens towards Moldova, so that economic aid to the neighboring country is stopped.
Simion's enemies: Zelensky and Maia Sandu
Matieș's message perfectly aligns with the political objective of the Kremlin, which is to isolate Moldova from Europe and turn it once again towards Moscow.
To complete the picture, George Simion, on his Facebook page on August 30, posted an image created with ChatGPT in which Volodymyr Zelensky and Maia Sandu appear with their hands outstretched, in a begging posture.
The image reads: "Don't forget to pay your taxes! Other countries depend on them."
The message is more than clear; the AUR leader considers the presidents of two countries targeted by Vladimir Putin for conquest as beggars.
"How you used to present yourself and what you're babbling now. In the period 2013-2016, you attracted many of us to march together through the center of Bucharest, chanting for the unification of Moldova with the country. Do you remember how thousands and thousands of people shouted: Bucharest and Chișinău - 2 Romanian hearts?" commented Cristian Șoimaru on George Simion's post.
The AUR leader no longer hides, openly promoting Russia's interests. It is encouraging that more and more people are beginning to understand and condemn his ties to the Kremlin.
On the other hand, the message promoted by extremist and pro-Russian parties in Romania, that austerity measures are imposed because of the aid our country provides to Ukraine and Moldova, resonates with a less informed audience willing to find blame for the failures of politicians elsewhere.
Unfortunately, there is no national-level strategy against disinformation campaigns. After last year's tragic episode when the elections were annulled due to Russian interference, no further explanations were given regarding what caused that situation, and no visible measures were taken to limit such interferences.
Due to constant pressure from Russia, the political scene in Romania tends to turn into an increasingly fierce confrontation between national, democratic, and pro-Western formations and those supported by the Kremlin, a scenario similar to what is happening in Moldova and Ukraine's politics.