Moldova – On the Brink of War

Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, fear has been growing among the people in the Republic of Moldova that their country could be next on Russia's list.

Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Moldovans were already preparing to leave the country: "We were afraid, we were sitting on packed suitcases," says Elena Cernei, who lives not far from the Ukrainian border. Last year, more than 600,000 Ukrainian refugees arrived in Moldova, gas and electricity prices exploded, and inflation rose to over 30% - immense challenges for Europe's poorest country. The war in Ukraine and Russian propaganda have also increasingly divided society over the past year. Is Moldova on the brink of war after this tumultuous year?