Chisinau security talks focus on drone defense and hybrid risks
Chisinau opened its annual security forum on Thursday, gathering nearly 100 international speakers to tackle Russian hybrid warfare, regional spillover from Ukraine, and mounting cross-border drone incursions.
Regional defense and drone defense
The third edition of the Moldova Security Forum brings together delegates from more than 20 countries alongside 40 institutional partners from the European Union and the United States. Discussions focus on bolstering democratic resilience along the EU's eastern border.
“The drone issue remains an acute security challenge as Russia escalates not only in Ukraine, but across Europe,” said Iulian Groza, executive director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). “Moldova is not spared from this threat, and finding concrete protective mechanisms is vital.”
Groza highlighted Brussels' release of an EU defense support tranche exceeding €120 million (approx. 2.34 billion MDL) as a tangible signal that Moldova does not face these vulnerabilities in isolation. He urged Chisinau's integration into joint European and Ukrainian anti-drone air defense initiatives.
Societal resilience against hybrid warfare
Addressing covert destabilization, Groza argued that legal and institutional measures alone cannot neutralize disinformation, deep fakes, and illicit political financing. Civic vigilance remains the decisive buffer against Kremlin-backed interference.
“Over the past four to five years, Moldova has faced systematic Russian interference,” Groza noted. “Beyond strategic roadmaps, the response of our citizens and institutions provided the real shield that repelled these pressures.”
Moldova’s experience in repelling non-conventional warfare has made it an essential contributor to the EU's emerging European Democracy Shield. Rather than targeting specific individuals, Groza stressed that authorities must counter systemic destabilization mechanisms while safeguarding democratic pluralism.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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