THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR ON ILLEGAL MIGRATION AS A FORM OF ORGANIZED CRIME. THE CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Svetlana CEBOTARI, Universitatea de Stat din Moldova Valeriu LUNGU, Academia Militară ,,Alexandru cel Bun” a Forțelor Armate
Abstract
The war in Ukraine is not only an arena of confrontations between states, but one of the primary impetuses for the
development of criminal networks, involved in drug and arms trafficking, but also human trafficking. The unjustified
aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine since 2022 has marked the increase in the number of networks of
groups involved in the organization of human trafficking, especially men capable of combat from Ukraine on the
territory of the Republic of Moldova. The criminal networks involved in the illegal crossing of the border of the Republic of Moldova operate in close collaboration with those in Ukraine, but also Romania. Lately, the criminal groups
involved in human trafficking are increasingly consolidating their position in the Republic of Moldova, including
strengthening their activity through cooperation with criminal networks from the neighboring states - Ukraine and
Romania.
The objective of this article is to highlight the main aspects with reference to the impact of the war in Ukraine
on the development of organized crime networks on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, especially criminal
networks involved in human trafficking.
Keywords: illegal migration, organized crime, border, war, security, traffic, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine.
