During the period from June to August 2025, a large-scale information campaign was conducted in Belarus’s information space aimed at discrediting the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moldova and supporting pro-Russian politician Igor Dodon. Analysis of publications from Belarusian state YouTube channels revealed signs of targeted Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).
Based on analysis of 54 YouTube-materials from Belarusian state media, the following key patterns of information manipulation were identified:
- Systematic promotion of pro-Russian agenda
Igor Dodon is mentioned in 37% of all materials (20 out of 54). Creating an image of “legitimate leader” through visit to Lukashenko. Positioning as “alternative” to current government - Delegitimization of democratic institutions
Direct statements about “falsifications” in elections. Disputing voting results. Undermining trust in Moldova’s electoral system. - Narrative about “external interference”
Accusations of EU “dictatorship” and “interference”. Use of derogatory vocabulary (“European circus”, “NATO hysteria”). Creating image of Moldova as “victim” of Western influence - Exploitation of energy crisis
Intensifying panic around electricity tariffs. Linking economic problems with European choice.
Offering “alternative” solutions through cooperation with Russia and Belarus. - Coordinated information campaign
Concentrated information surges
The most intensive information activity was recorded on July 12 and 13, 2025, coinciding with Igor Dodon’s visit to Belarus and his meetings with Alexander Lukashenko.
Over two days, 20 materials dedicated to this visit were published.
Main narratives and emotional manipulation
Information materials contained emotionally charged and manipulative narratives:
Support for Dodon and criticism of Moldova’s European integration:
Belarus is ready to cooperate with Moldova and restore what was lost in recent years
Unfortunately, it has turned out that it is very difficult for me to visit Moldova due to the policy you are conducting now. Understood. We are always ready for cooperation with Moldova. But what horrified me the most were the talks in Moldova about the alleged loss of Moldova’s independence and inclusion in a neighboring state. A catastrophe. But I don’t believe this, because Moldovans, residents of Moldova, especially people in Chisinau, are not stupid. And there is no people who would voluntarily deprive themselves of independence. Therefore, I hear this, but don’t believe it. You are cut off from us by war, unfortunately. Logistics have become complicated, but the world is small. There are no hopeless situations. So if Moldova’s leadership, the people of Moldova have the desire to return to our cooperation and multiply it. Igor Nikolaevich, know that you are not a stranger to us there. We are ready through you, if you agree to provide assistance, to restore everything that was lost during these years. In September, Moldova will have regular parliamentary elections, in which the socialists led by Dodon will also fight for power. The President of Belarus traditionally called on the citizens of this country to make a smart and wise choice. My advice to you. Don’t rush into any unions. No one is waiting for you anywhere. You saw how Europeans loved Ukraine, for example. As soon as Ukraine wanted to supply grain through the European Union as transit last year, they started blocking it. What do you think? That Moldovans are waited for there and that there will be special treatment. It will be the same with agricultural products, wine and so on and so forth. Listen, when you were president, you already went through this. I remember when you had to break through a window again here, to the East, Belarus, Russia so that the people of Moldova could live.
“To be or not to be in the European Union – that is the question”
And on this working Saturday, Alexander Lukashenko met with Igor Dodon, former head of Moldova. But there seem to be no former politicians. Moreover, political life in this country is seething. If during Dodon’s presidency Moldova actively cooperated with post-Soviet countries in general and with Belarus in particular, then with the coming to power of pro-European Sandu, the policy turned 180 degrees. To be or not to be part of the European Union – that’s how the question now stands. True, Brussels is clearly in no hurry to open its arms to Chisinau, equating Moldova’s EU accession process to the Ukrainian one, which means as slow as possible. The former president and his supporters resist this in every way, acting as a conduit between Moldova and friends from the East.
Discrediting current government and integration course:
Elections in Moldova under threat of falsification!
Moldovan opposition appeals to the international community that parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28 are under threat of falsification. The leader of the Heart of Moldova party appealed to accredited diplomats with a call to closely monitor the electoral process to prevent fraud by the ruling Action and Solidarity party. In the published appeal, the opposition bloc reports possible provocations by authorities involving police, biased journalists and political commentators. I note that opposition leaders who submitted an application to the CEC for registration of a unified patriotic electoral bloc headed by former Moldovan President Igor Dodon intend to end Sandu’s political monopoly.
Emotional impact:
Mass arrests and media closures in Moldova
The situation in Moldova is heating up. Sandu wants to assemble a government convenient for her, so she persecutes everyone who opposes the country’s accession to the European Union. Mass arrests of officials are being conducted, media not controlled by the authorities are being closed. Experts note that Sandu is trying so hard to prove her loyalty to European deputies.
Frequency and economic manipulations
Belarusian channels regularly broadcast materials claiming preparations for election falsifications, linking these claims with Moldova’s economic problems such as high electricity costs, population decline and general economic depression (“impoverished country”).
Moldova’s external state debt grew by more than $2 billion in 4 years
A life of credit that descendants will have to repay. Moldova’s external debt has grown by almost $2.5 billion in just 4 years. In this regard, the current government of the country has surpassed all previous ones. In June alone, official Chisinau attracted the maximum amount of external loans – $340 million. During their entire rule, the “Action and Solidarity” party has grown external debt by an amount comparable to what was accumulated over all 30 years of Moldova’s independence.
Similar messages appeared regularly:
- CTVBY: June 24, July 12 and 27, August 1, 2025.
- ONT TV Channel: June 3, July 12 and 26, 2025.
- NEWS.BY: July 13, 2025.
- SBTV: July 14, 2025.
Signs of coordination
Publications were characterized by a high degree of coordination between several major Belarusian state channels, including CTVBY, ONT TV Channel, BelTA Information Agency and NEWS.BY. Synchronous release of similar content stories in short time intervals indicates centralized campaign planning.
FIMI methods:
- Selective presentation of facts – focus on protests against Sandu, ignoring support
- Emotional manipulation – use of crisis rhetoric
- False dichotomy – presenting choice between “West” and “East” as the only options
- Amplification – multiple repetition of the same narratives through different channels
- Legitimization through authority – using Lukashenko-Dodon meeting to create image of “recognized leader”
FIMI threat assessment
The goal of this campaign is to create a negative image of Moldova’s current pro-Western government in the eyes of Belarusian and Moldovan audiences, delegitimize the upcoming parliamentary elections and promote pro-Russian narrative through support for Igor Dodon’s figure.
Useful link:
Information Integrity and Countering Foreign Information Manipulation & Interference (FIMI)
