Story perspectives

Moldova busts Russia-backed training network for land corridor

8/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 8 2026, Moldovan authorities broke up a Russia-backed training network in Bosnia and Serbia, part of President Vladimir Putin’s 2026 plan to create a land corridor linking Russia to Moldova, and seized payments, drones and radios.
Deputy head Sergey Kiriyenko and fugitive Ilan Shor recruited 150,000 Moldovans, paying $20 million, while Russian GRU camps in Serbia, Bosnia and near Moscow charged $300-$500 per trainee for police breaching, arson and drone training.

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Story summary

On April 8 2026, Moldovan authorities broke up a Russia-backed training network in Bosnia and Serbia, part of President Vladimir Putin’s 2026 plan to create a land corridor linking Russia to Moldova, and seized payments, drones and radios.
Deputy head Sergey Kiriyenko and fugitive Ilan Shor recruited 150,000 Moldovans, paying $20 million, while Russian GRU camps in Serbia, Bosnia and near Moscow charged $300-$500 per trainee for police breaching, arson and drone training.