"Trained in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia": Moldovan court cases reveal how recruits end up in Russian sabotage camps

Russia is using a network of recruitment and training camps as part of its hybrid warfare strategy against Europe, while Moldova has become one of the main testing grounds for these operations, writes Politico.

According to the report, these camps recruit people, mainly from poorer backgrounds or without political experience, who are trained for activities such as inciting unrest, sabotage, and destabilizing political systems.

A concrete case is that of Anatoli Prizenco, who recruited Maksim Roşca in Chişinău, promising him a paid trip and a profit of $300 to $500. Within a few weeks, Roşca ended up in training camps in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, where he learned to use drones, incendiary devices, and evade police during protests.

Moldovan authorities believe that these activities are part of a coordinated operation with support from Russia, aimed at extending influence to countries such as France and Germany.

The investigations come as European countries warn of a broad campaign of hybrid warfare by Moscow. In France, disinformation campaigns have been identified, while in Germany, authorities have accused Russia of cyberattacks and election interference.

Moldova's Interior Minister, Danijela Misail-Nikitin, stated that young people were recruited, transported to camps and trained to break police cordons, use drones and provide medical assistance in situations of violence.

Roşca's case came to light in October 2024, when he was stopped at the border with Romania. Money, SIM cards, drone equipment and means for launching grenades from the air were found in his vehicle. Several people have been sentenced to prison, while he testified as a witness, claiming that he was beaten after refusing to participate in training.

According to the evidence, the training took place in isolated areas near Banja Luka, where recruits also learned to observe state targets and prepare drone operations. The instructors are suspected of having links to the mercenary group Wagner Group.

Moldovan authorities have opened investigations into more than 80 people, with at least 20 charged with inciting unrest. Some of them are also suspected of taking part in destabilizing operations in France and Germany.

According to prosecutors, the network was run by people connected to higher-ranking structures in Russia, while recruiter Prizenco is suspected of collaborating with other individuals abroad.

Moldova, nestled between Ukraine and Romania, is considered a key point in confronting Russian influence. The government of President Maia Sandu has repeatedly accused Moscow of interfering in elections, referendums and spreading disinformation.

Authorities warn that these networks are not only targeting Moldova, but have spread across Europe, using methods such as vote buying, cyberattacks, organized protests, and content manipulated with artificial intelligence.