Moldova has blocked access to the websites of major Russian news media on grounds that Russia is using them to try to influence upcoming local elections.
A decree published on October 30 by Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service added the websites to more than 20 that were blocked last week for "online content used in the war of information against the Republic of Moldova."
The new list includes the newspaper Komsomolskaya pravda and website Lenta.ru, as well as TASS and Interfax.
A second decree published on October 30 suspends the broadcast license of six television stations also accused of attempting to influence the elections.
President Maia Sandu said the authorities made the decision to protect the “state and democracy from the Russian Federation's attempts to interfere in the electoral process."
Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced the decision of the Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE), which was proposed by the Intelligence and Security Service.
"Russia, through organized criminal groups, wants to influence the local elections on November 5 and undermine the democratic process," Recean said at a meeting of the CSE.
He said the banned TV channels were subordinate to organized criminal groups that had "joined forces to destabilize the country," and had pursued interests outside of Moldova.
Alexandru Musteata, director of the Intelligence and Security Service, said at a briefing ahead of the announcement that in recent months Russia had been trying to influence the November 5 elections through illegal party financing, vote buying, candidate corruption, and a "well-placed" disinformation campaign through certain TV stations, websites, and social networks.
"These are part of the arsenal of the hybrid war waged by Russia against our country," Musteata said, proposing the suspension of the broadcasting licenses of six broadcasters, including ITV, Channel 2, and Channel 3.
In a joint statement, ITV and other stations rejected the accusations, calling them "gross falsehoods without any proof or legal justification," and accused the government of an "unprecedented attack" on the freedom of the press in Moldova.
In a separate statement, some of the blocked broadcasters said that the CSE's decision was "abusive and illegal" and that they intend to challenge it in court. They said in the meantime they would look for technical solutions to reach their viewers.
Moldova has accused Moscow of trying to overthrow its pro-Western government since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Russian troops occupy Moldova's mainly Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transdniester, and its main opposition parties have long had close ties to Moscow.
Russia did not immediately respond but has previously denied meddling in Moldova's affairs and accuses Sandu of promoting animosity.