Russian-Backed Network Used Cottage in Serbia to Train Moldovan Rioters
A peaceful riverside retreat in western Serbia, advertised as a “unique oasis for rest, relaxation, sports and entertainment,” has been linked to covert Russian-backed training aimed at destabilizing Moldova, according to an investigation published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on October 16.
The report centers on the "Sunny River" resort on the banks of the Drina River—roughly 500 kilometers from Sofia—which Radio Free states was used to train Moldovan nationals to provoke riots ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.
.....
Authorities in Chișinău say the training took place ahead of Moldova’s September 28 parliamentary vote. According to RFE/RL, citing Serbian officials, over 150 Moldovan and Romanian nationals underwent training at the site between July 16 and September 12. Just days before the election, Moldovan police arrested around 70 people, “most of whom had reportedly been trained at the eight-hectare Serbian complex.”
While physical evidence remains limited, RFE/RL uncovered digital clues. A fitness app linked to Sergey Andreenkov recorded his morning runs along the Drina River on September 8, 9, and 12—starting each time near a restaurant at the Sunny River complex.
Andreenkov is an activist in Vladimir Putin’s ruling “United Russia” party. In May, Russia’s Ministry of Defense awarded him a medal “for strengthening the defense capabilities of the Russian Federation.” Online photos also show him delivering military equipment to Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine in 2023 and 2024.
https://united24media.com/latest-news/russian-backed-network-used-cottage-in-serbia-to-train-moldovan-rioters-12564