Moldova Election Hit by Cyberattacks Amid Political Tensions, Blocking 4,000 Vote-Related Websites
Published
- Election targeted: Moldova's election infrastructure sustained multiple cyberattacks during a pivotal parliamentary vote.
- Widespread disruption: A massive attack forced the national cybersecurity agency to block approximately 4,000 websites.
- Political context: The attacks occurred amid allegations of Russian-backed disruption efforts and heightened pro-EU and pro-Russian tensions.
Moldova’s recent parliamentary election was marred by a series of cyberattacks that targeted critical election infrastructure, including the Central Election Commission's portal and government websites, according to government officials.
The incidents unfolded against a backdrop of intense political friction and widespread Russian interference allegations, underscoring the significant cybersecurity challenges facing the nation.
Cyberattacks Target Election Infrastructure
Prime Minister Dorin Recean and National Security Adviser Stanislav Secrieru confirmed that multiple cyberattacks occurred on September 27 and 28, according to the National Associated Press Agency (ANSA). The attacks were aimed at the Central Election Commission’s portal and government websites, including those at polling stations abroad.
While officials reported that these initial attacks were detected and neutralized without disrupting the vote, the digital assault escalated.
A subsequent massive attack compelled the national cybersecurity agency to block the host.md platform, a major hosting provider, which temporarily took about 4,000 websites offline, ANSA said.
“In 2025, more than 1,000 cyberattacks on government critical infrastructure were identified”, Recean said in a recent press statement. “In the last two months alone, TikTok removed more than 100,000 fake accounts and over 250,000 spam accounts — all part of the information attack on Moldova.”
Patriotic Bloc co-leader and former Moldovan President Igor Dodon called for protests alleging that pro-European President Maia Sandu wants to "nullify the results of the parliamentary elections," though he provided no evidence, reports say.
Impact of Digital Disruptions on Moldova
These digital disruptions coincided with physical threats, including fake bomb threats at polling stations. The events occurred as the pro-EU government, led by President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), faced a strong challenge from the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc.
Authorities had earlier barred two pro-Russian parties from the ballot over illegal financing allegations and warned of potential unrest linked to Russian-backed disruption efforts, according to Reuters.
Political Tensions Amid Election Interference
The election, which saw the PAS secure a stronger-than-expected lead, was framed as a decisive moment for Moldova's geopolitical direction. The cyberattacks highlight the critical state of Moldova's cybersecurity as the nation navigates pressure from Moscow while pursuing deeper integration with the European Union.
In May 2025, Meta reported disrupting major influence operations targeting Romania’s elections, Azerbaijan, and Taiwan via Facebook. The threat actors mimicked Romanian residents and posted local news, sports, and travel narratives via Meta, as well as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
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