REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA: Moscow, through its main propagandist, Vladimir Soloviov, stirs spirits in Comrat – 18.08.2022
The special purpose brigade “Fulger” of the Moldovan police started today in Comrat, the administrative center of the Gagauzia autonomous regions in the south of the Republic of Moldova, a series of tactical exercises, about the care of the Moldovan authorities they say that they organize them regularly in the area, but the event was former. immediately speculated by Kremlin propaganda, according to Deschide.md, notes Agerpres.
Moscow’s No. 1 propagandist, Vladimir Soloviov, broadcast today on his Telegram channel that the Chisinau authorities sent the “Fulger” special purpose brigade to the Gagauzia autonomous region “to quell anti-government protests”, according to the quoted media.
In his post, Soloviov claims, citing Telegram channels from Gagauzia, that “the press service of the Moldavian Ministry of the Interior did not communicate” about the planning of such exercises in Gagauzia. Furthermore, he states, referring to the same Gagauz sources, that in fact it would be about “the suppression of some anti-government protests that have been taking place in the region for several weeks”. In this regard, Soloviov cites a Telegram channel from Gagauzia that supports Russian aggression in Ukraine and expects Russian forces to reach the borders of the Republic of Moldova as soon as possible, notes Deschide.md.
Among the “reliable” sources referred to by the Kremlin propagandist are Pridnestrovie Online, a publication from Transnistria, and Gagauznews, which was blocked by the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) in Chisinau after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for spreading inciting information to hatred and war.
In this context, Pridnestrovie online writes that “the (Moldovan) leadership is afraid that the situation will get out of control, so it made the decision to send special troops to the region.”
Against the background of the manipulations disseminated by some regional media, but also directly by channels from Moscow, the police of the Republic of Moldova wanted to come up with a clarification about the presence of the “Fulger” brigade in Comrat.
“With reference to what is circulating in the online environment about the applications carried out by the Police Brigade with the special destination “Fulger” of the IGP in Comrat, we specify that it is about some tactical exercises that were organized regularly to check the ability to react and act . intervention of employees”, the Moldovan police maintains in a statement posted on its Telegram account.
“This type of exercise will take place throughout the country. We ask citizens to get information from reliable sources and keep calm, as it is about training of our subdivision with special status, which take place permanently,” according to the text, quoted . by Radio Chisinau.
Moscow was disturbed by the measures taken by Chisinau after February 24 to limit the spread of Russian disinformation in the media of the Republic of Moldova against the background of its military campaign in Ukraine. Most recently, on August 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry denounced the “degradation” of the media situation in the Republic of Moldova and asked the Moldovan authorities to review their policy in relation to the rights and freedoms of the population, according to Deschide.md.
The autonomous region of Gagauzia maintains close relations with Russia. In a controversial referendum in 2014, 98.47% of participants voted for Moldova’s accession to the former customs union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. In 2008, the People’s Assembly (the local parliament) supported Russia’s decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia – two breakaway provinces of Georgia – as independent republics, according to media across the Prut.