DISINFO: Moldova experiences a process of ‘Ukranisation’ and a democratic collapse
SUMMARY
Moldova is experiencing a process of ‘Ukranisation’ and a democratic collapse. The violent actions of the authorities against a peaceful protest of Orthodox citizens in the capital Chisinau against a parade of the LGBT movement reopened the debate on the advance of a Western cultural agenda in territories historically linked to Russia. There are two points which explain this kind of repression. One of them is Russophobia, a total rejection of everything related to Russia. The other is the rejection of traditional values, also a characteristic of the current Western powers. Moldova is in a process of Ukranisation, following the example of Ukraine of institutionalising Russophobic policies.
RESPONSE
This is a disingenuous attempt to exploit the incidents around the celebration of a Pride March in Moldova’s capital on 15 June 2025 in favour of pro-LGBTQ rights, in order to promote several recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives against Moldova’s president Maia Sandu, the West and Ukraine. It also advances messaging about “Russophobia”, a term used by pro-Kremlin disinformation to deflect any criticism of Russia or action detrimental to the Kremlin’s interests. The ultimate goal of this disinformation story is to shape the information environment ahead of the upcoming Moldovan elections scheduled for September 2025.
The Pride March was harassed by demonstrators gathered by pro-Russian Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) despite authorities having designed different routes to avoid any confrontation. Contrary to what this disinformation story claims, the incident did not involve “violent actions of the authorities against a peaceful protest”. In fact, police officers confronted these demonstrators after they tried to break the cordon separating both mobilisations.
The allegation made in this disinformation story appeals to homophobic views among the audience, falsely framing local pro-LGBTQ activities as a Western imposition against the “national” or “Christian” values that Russia claims to defend, for propagandistic purposes. The exploitation of homophobia is a well-established pro-Kremlin disinformation technique. Therefore, the defence of LGBTQ rights is baselessly portrayed here as “Russophobic” and “undemocratic”. Ukraine, which has been for years massively demonised by pro-Kremlin disinformation, is presented as a negative example of all this, without providing any argument to back such claims.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that NATO is forcing a LGBTIQ+ agenda on Moldova and other countries, that European values mean paedophilia and homosexuality, that the US ordered that Europe be inundated with LGBT, or that Moldova’s jailing of political opponents shows it is a democracy in name only.