U.S. Sanctions Russia-Backed Actors Over 'Destabilization Operations' In Moldova

Washington D.C./06.06.23/Turan:   The Biden Administration on Monday sanctioned 7 leading members of a Russian intelligence-linked group and one entity for their role in allegedly helping the Kremlin destabilise Moldova's democratically elected government earlier this year, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the move in a statement denouncing the group's "destabilization operations" in Moldova.

"The Kremlin continues covert efforts to destabilize democratic countries via malign influence operations. Today, we are designating seven members of a Russian intelligence-linked group, and one entity, for their role in destabilization operations in Moldova," Blinken said.

The Treasury Department released the names of those sanctioned: Konstantin Prokopyevich Sapozhnikov, Yury Yuryevich Makolov, Gleb Maksimovich Khloponin, Svetlana Andreyevna Boyko, Aleksey Vyacheslavovich Losev, Vasily Viktorovich Gromovikov and Anna Travnikova – all members of a "Russia-connected malign influence group that is attempting to destabilize the government of Moldova."

They are linked to sanctioned Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor, currently in exile in Israel. Shor is the leader of Moldova's pro-Russia Shor Party, which supports a group calling itself Movement for the People, which organised an anti-government protest in Chisinau earlier this year.

According to Blinken, these actors are "a part of Russia’s global information operations that have also targeted the U.S., the EU, the UK, and countries in the Balkans."

"The goal of these destabilizing operations is to weaken support for democratic governments and principles.  These operatives provoke, train and oversee groups in democratic countries that conduct anti-government protests, rallies, marches, and demonstrations with the goal of overthrowing democratically elected leaders and creating or exacerbating instability," he noted.

Blinken went on to conclude: "The United States, along with our Allies and partners, will continue to expose, disrupt, and deter Russia’s malign influence campaigns. We will also continue to support Moldova as it makes necessary reforms to strengthen its democracy, build a prosperous and secure future, deepen its integration with Europe, and promote respect for human rights."

Alex Raufoglu