In Moscow’s ”Friendship”: 35 Years of Russian Influence in the Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991. However, officially declared independence did not mean an immediate break from Russia. Ziarul de Gardă produced a documentary to mark the 35th anniversary of Moldova’s independence. The film is now available with English subtitles for international audiences.

For 35 years, Moscow has sought to keep the Republic of Moldova within its sphere of influence through various means: from supporting Transnistrian separatism and maintaining a Russian military presence to exploiting Moldova’s dependence on Russian gas and markets, exerting political and media influence, imposing embargoes, spreading propaganda, providing opaque funding, conducting espionage, and interfering in elections.

At the same time, the Republic of Moldova has undergone a slow and often winding process of breaking away from Russia. It has reclaimed its national symbols and identity, diversified its export markets and energy sources, and developed mechanisms to protect its information space and democratic processes.

In this documentary, Ziarul de Gardă explores how, over 35 years of independence, the Republic of Moldova has sought to transform the independence proclaimed in 1991 into genuine independence in practice.