Lyce · Hybrid Watch

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Wagner-linked paramilitary trained in Serbia and Bosnia with goal to undermine Moldovan elections.

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Russian-linked paramilitary training camps were uncovered in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, where Moldovan citizens were allegedly trained ahead of Moldova’s 2024 presidential election. One former participant, Maksim Roșca, told investigators that recruits underwent combat, drone-operation, physical and psychological training and were promised $300–500 for ten days, paid in cryptocurrency. Moldovan prosecutors say participants were being prepared to organise mass unrest and destabilise the country, and have linked the instructors to the Wagner Group and other Russian-linked individuals. Roșca became a prosecution witness in the trial of three fellow trainees. The investigation also describes the recruitment of participants through seemingly innocuous activities such as self-defence or sports training, while Moldovan authorities say the broader operation was connected to efforts to disrupt the country’s pro-Western political course and its 2024 presidential election.

Occurrence
Publication
First observed
Review status
Not assessed
Countries
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, Serbia
Updated

Attribution

Official

Facts

No facts

Sources

  1. Role
    Discovery lead
    Publication

    Russian-linked paramilitary training camps were uncovered in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, where Moldovan citizens were allegedly trained ahead of Moldova’s 2024 presidential election. One former participant, Maksim Roșca, told investigators that recruits underwent combat, drone-operation, physical and psychological training and were promised $300–500 for ten days, paid in cryptocurrency. Moldovan prosecutors say participants were being prepared to organise mass unrest and destabilise the country, and have linked the instructors to the Wagner Group and other Russian-linked individuals. Roșca became a prosecution witness in the trial of three fellow trainees. The investigation also describes the recruitment of participants through seemingly innocuous activities such as self-defence or sports training, while Moldovan authorities say the broader operation was connected to efforts to disrupt the country’s pro-Western political course and its 2024 presidential election.