Estonian intelligence has revealed details of a large-scale operation by Russian special services aimed at preparing groups for covert attacks and provocations in Europe, as reported by Serbiantimes.
According to the intelligence agency, around 150 people underwent specialized military and tactical training at a tourist complex in Serbia, near the city of Loznica on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group included citizens of Moldova and Romania, who were trained in methods of breaching police cordons, using weapons, and organizing unrest. Instructors at the camp were citizens of Russia and Belarus.
This activity was part of a broader Kremlin campaign to interfere in Moldova’s parliamentary elections in September last year, aiming to overthrow the pro-Western government. Experts estimate that Moscow spent around $150 million on these efforts. The operation’s plan was developed and coordinated directly by the Administration of the President of Russia.
Influence tools ranged from disinformation and propaganda—including involvement from priests of the Moldovan Orthodox Church trained in Russia—to the formation of prepared strike groups for direct confrontations with law enforcement.
Investigations by the Moldovan prosecutor’s office revealed that the plan involved seizing key facilities and staging provocations during the elections. To date, over 100 individuals have been identified as involved, many of whom have been detained.
In Serbia itself, Lazar Popović from Belgrade and Savo Stevanović from Loznica were arrested in connection with organizing and financing the camp. Funds for maintaining mercenaries and conducting operations were transferred using cryptocurrency and complex money-laundering schemes. Despite the large-scale resources deployed and the recruitment of trained fighters in Serbia, Estonian intelligence reports that the Kremlin’s attempt to destabilize Moldova ultimately failed.
