Russian bots from the “Matryoshka” network target EU summit in Moldova with fake videos impersonating The Insider and other media
The Kremlin-backed disinformation network “Matryoshka” has launched a new wave of attacks aimed at undermining Moldovan President Maia Sandu. The flood of disinformation is timed to coincide with the upcoming EU summit in Moldova, which will take place in Chișinău on July 4. The details of the new campaign were shared with The Insider by the watchdog project Bot Blocker (@antibot4navalny).
As part of the campaign, one video — falsely branded as reporting by The Insider — claims in English that European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas refused to attend the summit in Chișinău due to tensions with Sandu. Previously the bots spread the false rumor that European officials are plotting to push Kallas out of office by replacing her with Sandu. The latest video also falsely references Bot Blocker, alleging the project uncovered evidence that Sandu was spreading false information about Kallas — claims that are, again, entirely fabricated.