Language teacher Sorina Stoianova has found herself at the forefront of Moldova's efforts to counter Russian influence in its rebel Gagauzia region, which borders Ukraine.
Already threatened by pro-Russian separatists in breakaway Transnistria -- which last month appealed to Moscow for "protection" -- Moldova's pro-EU government is trying to reach out to Gagauzians in the south with free classes in Romanian, the country's official language.
