--- title: "Kremlin Plans for 2026: NATO Collapse via Moldova and the 'Drone-Missile' over Crocmaz" description: "🚨 US Intelligence: Putin's 2026 Plan — Dismantling NATO via Moldova. GRU trained fighters in Serbia, while Kiriyenko oversaw vote buying for $20m. After the coup attempt failed in September 2025, Russia used a 'drone-missile' over Crocmaz. Moldova recalled its ambassador. 🇲🇩🇷🇺" date: 2026-08-14T12:04:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kremlin-plans-2026-moldova-nato-collapse tags: [russia, moldova, nato, vladimir-putin, hybrid-warfare, geopolitics, ilan-shor, maia-sandru] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Kremlin Plans for 2026: NATO Collapse via Moldova and the 'Drone-Missile' over Crocmaz ![Vladimir Putin against a blue screen, discussing Kremlin plans for 2026: NATO collapse through Moldova and 'drone-missile' over Krokma](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/14/plans-cremling-2026-moldova-nato-collapse/plans-cremling-2026-moldova-nato-collapse-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The Kremlin's main goal for 2026 is to dismantle NATO and the EU from within, using Moldova as a testing ground. - GRU organized fighter training in Serbia and Bosnia, while Kiriyenko oversaw vote buying. - The coup attempt during the 2025 elections failed thanks to the work of Moldovan special services. - On August 9, 2026, a Russian 'drone-missile' was shot down over Moldova, leading to the recall of the ambassador. ### Destabilization Strategy: Moldova as a Testing Ground for Western Division Amid a protracted conflict in Ukraine and escalating geopolitical pressure, the Kremlin has revised its strategic priorities for 2026. According to data obtained by Western intelligence services and published by The New York Times, Russia's primary objective for the current period is not merely holding occupied territories, but the systematic dismantling of NATO and the European Union from within. To test this grand strategy, Moscow has chosen Moldova, viewing it as an ideal laboratory for hybrid warfare. Sources in US and European intelligence agencies report that Vladimir Putin personally outlined these plans during a closed briefing for the top military command. This occurred shortly after the Russian leader publicly accused Western countries of "stoking hysteria" regarding security threats. In the Kremlin's new hierarchy of priorities, two main tasks are clearly defined: the final conquest of Ukraine and the establishment of strict control over Moldova. Moscow calculates that capturing southern Ukraine will allow the creation of a land corridor to unrecognized Transnistria, thereby gaining a powerful foothold for pressure on the Alliance. ### Hybrid Warfare: From Fighter Training to Vote Buying The operation to destabilize Moldova was conducted along several fronts simultaneously. Russian military intelligence (GRU) organized secret training exercises for young Moldovans in Serbia, Bosnia, and the outskirts of Moscow. In parallel, a large-scale corruption campaign was launched. Journalists discovered that the system of vote buying and influencing voters was overseen by Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor under the control of Russian official Sergey Kiriyenko. The network of agents of influence numbered more than 150,000 people. Just before the 2024 referendum, activists in this network were paid nearly $20 million. The campaign even involved representatives of the clergy: Orthodox priests were recruited for agitation for a reward of $1,000. The peak of this operation coincided with the parliamentary elections in Moldova on September 28, 2025. Russian hackers attempted to breach the systems of the Central Election Commission, while prepared fighters planned violent actions to create chaos. ### Failure in Chisinau and Escalation in August 2026 Despite extensive preparations, the attempt to seize power by force in Moldova failed. Thanks to the operational work of law enforcement agencies, the conduct of hundreds of raids and arrests, mass riots were prevented. In the elections, the pro-Western party of Maia Sandu won, receiving more than 50% of the vote. However, intelligence emphasizes that the Kremlin has not stopped and is counting on a long-term campaign of destabilization, continuing to deny any interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. The situation sharply escalated in August 2026. On August 9, a powerful explosion occurred near the village of Crocmaz. Debris of a combat unmanned aerial vehicle, officially called a "drone-missile" by the Moldovan police, was found at the scene. The next day, Chisinau recalled its ambassador from Russia, stating that the incident was a gross violation of the country's sovereignty. Later, the Moldovan Minister of Defense confirmed that the exploded drone was Russian. ### Contradictory Data There is a significant gap between the official position of Moscow and the data from Western intelligence. While NYT sources and US intelligence agencies speak of a detailed plan by Putin to dismantle NATO through Moldova and specific financing figures ($20 million), the official Kremlin continues to deny interference. Moscow states that any accusations against the RF are fabrications intended to discredit the country and rejects facts about fighter training in Serbia and Bosnia. Furthermore, data on the direct participation of Sergey Kiriyenko in vote-buying operations in Moldova remains a subject of dispute, as it is confirmed only through indirect sources and document leaks, which Moscow calls fabricated. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What is Russia's main goal regarding Moldova in 2026? **A:** According to intelligence data, the goal is to use Moldova as a foothold for destabilizing and dismantling NATO and the EU from within. ### Q: What happened in the village of Crocmaz in August 2026? **A:** A Russian combat drone ('drone-missile') exploded, leading to the recall of the Moldovan ambassador from Russia. ### Q: Did Russia succeed in organizing a coup during the 2025 elections? **A:** No, thanks to the work of law enforcement agencies, mass riots were prevented, and Maia Sandu's party won.