The United States has placed sanctions on seven leading members of a Russian influence group with links to intelligence services for their role in Moscow’s campaign to destabilize Moldova.
In a statement issued on June 5, the Treasury Department accused the individuals of provoking, training, and overseeing protesters in Moldova with the aim to topple pro-Western President Maia Sandu and her newly appointed government earlier this year.
The statement said Konstantin Sapozhnikov, one of the sanctioned individuals, led the group and also organized the plot to destabilize the Moldovan government. The other members designated were Yury Makolov, Gleb Khloponin, Svetlana Boyko, Aleksei Losev, Vasily Gromovikov, and Anna Travnikova.
In February and March, several thousand people packed the streets in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, against Sandu and the pro-Western government. Many of them were linked to the Russian-friendly Shor Party.
The protesters demanded Sandu’s resignation and called on the government to pay citizens’ utility bills following soaring energy prices caused by Russia’s decision to slash natural-gas exports to Europe.
Ilan Shor, the tycoon who founded the Shor Party, fled Moldova following Sandu’s election in 2019.
“Russia’s attempted influence operations exploit the concerns of the citizens of these countries, to destabilize legitimately elected governments for Moscow’s own interests. The United States remains committed, along with the EU, to target individuals who engage in such activities against the government of Moldova,” Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in the statement.
Sandu and the government want Moldova to join the European Union and leave Moscow’s orbit. The Kremlin opposes Moldova moving toward the West.
Russia has denied any involvement in a covert plot to destabilize Moldova.
Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu, on Twitter said: The US Treasury’s decision to sanction seven foreign individuals trying to destabilize Moldova is a crucial step in maintaining stability and public order. Collaboration with external partners is key for peace, security, and sustainable progress.”
The @USTreasury decision to sanction seven foreign individuals trying to destabilize Moldova is a crucial step in maintaining stability and public order.
Collaboration with external partners is key for peace, security, and sustainable progress.@SecBlinken @USembMoldova https://t.co/y3lAvmiz9d
— Nicu Popescu (@nicupopescu) June 6, 2023
The Treasury’s decision to place sanctions on Sapozhnikov and his cohorts freezes any U.S. assets in their possession, including U.S. dollar bank accounts at foreign institutions.
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