Bosnian outlets have uncovered a covert network of Russian-run paramilitary training camps in Bosnia and Serbia where Moldovan nationals were instructed in drone warfare, riot organization and psychological operations. The operation, allegedly backed by Wagner-affiliated individuals, aimed to foment unrest ahead of Moldova’s presidential election.
Key Takeaways
- Camps operated in Republika Srpska and near Radenka, Serbia, under Wagner-linked instructors.
- Recruits from Moldova surrendered phones and passports, trained in combat drills, drone handling and mass‐riot tactics.
- Several trainees face trial in Chişinău; one witness works with prosecutors.
- Organizer Anatolii Prizenko is under EU sanctions for prior destabilization stunts.
- Bosnian authorities have launched their own probe; Moldovan services seek cross‐border cooperation.
Camp Locations And Recruitment
Investigations by Moldovan and Bosnian outlets and tip-offs from Moldova’s SIS reveal two main sites:
- A forested area near Banja Luka in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- A remote clearing outside Radenka, eastern Serbia.
Recruits were enticed via paintball tournaments and personal contacts. Upon arrival, participants handed over passports and phones. Payment ranged from $300 to $500 in cryptocurrency for ten days of instruction.
Training And Activities
Former trainees and prosecutors detail a multi-faceted curriculum designed to destabilize public order:
- Combat Drills: small-unit tactics and self-defense exercises.
- Drone Operations: assembling, piloting and using drones for surveillance or disruption.
- Psychological Warfare: virtual reality simulations and crowd-control provocations.
- Riot Orchestration: techniques to provoke police into excessive force and spark mass unrest.
Site inspections in early 2025 found remnants of burnt tarpaulin, disassembled drones, Starlink terminals and flammable materials.
Legal Proceedings And Denials
In Chişinău, three Moldovan nationals—Aliona Gotco, Vladimir Harcevnicov and Ludmila Costenco—stand accused of plotting mass disorder. A fourth, Maxim Rosca, is a key prosecution witness. Anatolii Prizenko, alleged recruiter and liaison to Wagner operatives, was arrested in February 2025 and has faced EU sanctions for previous interference operations in France.
Pro-Russian Moldovan and Republika Srpska officials deny any paramilitary camps exist. Bosnia’s security ministry initially dismissed the allegations, but a state prosecution spokesperson has since confirmed an investigation is under way.
International Response And Outlook
Moldova’s prosecution aims to secure documentation and testimony from Bosnian authorities. Meanwhile, the EU, U.S. and U.K. have sanctioned individuals linked to the network, including Mikhail Potepkin and Konstantin Goloskokov.
Security experts warn the case underscores Moscow’s continued efforts to project influence in the former Soviet space and the Western Balkans. Ongoing cooperation between Chişinău, Sarajevo and Belgrade will be critical to unraveling the full scope of the operation.
