US sanctions 7 members of Russia-linked group influencing Moldova

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US imposed sanctions on Monday on seven members of a Russian intelligence-linked influence group for their role in Moscow’s influence campaigns in Moldova.

The Treasury Department said the influence actors that are designated are part of a global information operation connected to Russia that targets Ukraine, countries bordering Ukraine including Moldova, Balkan countries, the European Union, the UK and the US.

"The US government has previously exposed Russia’s attempts to use covert operatives to subvert democracy in Moldova," it said, adding that three other individuals were sanctioned in October for their coordinated efforts in 2020 and 2021 to influence the outcome of Moldova’s elections.

The Treasury Department said the actors "provoked, trained, and oversaw" groups in democratic countries that conduct anti-government protests, rallies, marches and demonstrations as they analyze countries that are vulnerable to exploitation.

"The sanctions imposed today shine a light on Russia’s ongoing covert efforts to destabilize democratic nations," Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said in a statement.

"Russia’s attempted influence operations exploit the concerns of the citizens of these countries to destabilize legitimately elected governments for Moscow’s own interests," he added.

The sanctions also include an entity owned or controlled by one of these individuals.