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Lithuania Monthly: Real Estate Tax Protest Becomes a Tool for Kremlin’s Disinformation

A protest against Lithuania’s new real estate tax in April became a lightning rod for Kremlin-aligned media, which framed the demonstration as a sign of civil unrest and government collapse. Originally aimed at aligning with Western fiscal norms, the policy sparked public backlash – now amplified by narratives of corruption, conspiracy, and social injustice. Disinformation actors portrayed the protest as a grassroots revolt against a failing system, using emotionally charged slogans, fabricated links to unrelated events, and high-profile influencers to erode trust in the Lithuanian government and democratic institutions.

Weekly Reports

10
Award
May 26th – June 1st, 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Weekly: Vaitkus Award Controversy Used to Undermine the Government

Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania continued to amplify the fallout from Eduardas Vaitkus’s award revocation, portraying it as a symbol of authoritarianism and political bias. The narrative was echoed by publisher Vitas Tomkus, whose provocative protest framed state honors as tools of loyalty, reinforcing broader efforts to discredit Lithuania’s leadership and its Western alignment.

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5
Saeima
May 26th – June 1st, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Weekly: the Use of Social Media to Cast Government as Threat

The Alliance of Young Latvians positioned themselves as sole defenders of public safety and minority rights by highlighting criminal incidents in Riga, promoting anti-immigration sentiment, and repeatedly showcasing anonymous hateful comments towards their leaders. They were constructing an anti-establishment narrative that portrays them as the only politicians genuinely concerned about public safety, environmental risks, and persecution of Russian speakers.

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7
Tallinn pride
May 26th – June 1st, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Weekly: Pride Event Sparks Backlash as Kremlin-Aligned Narratives Resurface

Tallinn’s Pride event drew backlash from pro-Kremlin voices accusing Estonia of eroding traditional values and sidelining economic priorities. Speculative posts about police training with water cannons were used to stoke fears of government repression, highlighting how neutral events can be twisted to fuel disinformation.

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11
Vilnius
May 19th – May 25th, 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Turn Austerity into a Punchline

Government claims that rising taxes are tied to national defense sparked ridicule from Kremlin-aligned commentators. Satirical slogans and memes painted austerity as a cover for elite interests, with sarcastic quips like, “Land Rovers for 120k won’t buy themselves – let’s all chip in!”

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Monthly Reports

April 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Monthly: Real Estate Tax Protest Becomes a Tool for Kremlin’s Disinformation

A protest against Lithuania’s new real estate tax in April became a lightning rod for Kremlin-aligned media, which framed the demonstration as a sign of civil unrest and government collapse. Originally aimed at aligning with Western fiscal norms, the policy sparked public backlash – now amplified by narratives of corruption, conspiracy, and social injustice. Disinformation actors portrayed the protest as a grassroots revolt against a failing system, using emotionally charged slogans, fabricated links to unrelated events, and high-profile influencers to erode trust in the Lithuanian government and democratic institutions.

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April 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Monthly: Intensifying Pre-Election Rhetoric

Populist candidates like Grevcova and Brēmanis (Alliance of Young Latvians) use emotionally charged content to highlight alleged government corruption and waste, often through unverifiable claims. Their videos on TikTok and Facebook generate more engagement than both Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels and rival populists like Roslikovs (For Stability). These figures leverage outrage-driven messaging to erode trust in Latvian institutions and promote anti-establishment, anti-government sentiment – particularly among Russian-speaking audiences.

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April 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Monthly: Narva’s Mayor Faces Threats Amid Rising Tensions

Katri Raik, mayor of the border city of Narva, has spoken candidly about the rising tensions in her community as Estonia strengthens its military presence near Russia. While some welcome the move, many locals remain wary. Raik has received multiple threats, including a death threat and public intimidation, on the same day news broke about a planned Estonian Defence Forces base in Narva. Her leadership highlights the delicate balance between national security and local identity in a city shaped by complex histories and geopolitical realities.

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March 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Monthly: Kremlin Media Exploits U.S. Military Incident to Undermine NATO

A tragic U.S. military incident in Pabradė, Lithuania, became fertile ground for Kremlin-aligned media in March 2025. What began as a local tragedy quickly turned into a disinformation campaign questioning NATO’s strength, Lithuania’s sovereignty, and the transparency of government institutions. Conspiracy theories flourished, amplifying distrust and fueling anti-Western narratives.

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Latest Reports

Lithuania Weekly: Vaitkus Award Controversy Used to Undermine the Government

May 26th – June 1st, 2025

Latvia Weekly: the Use of Social Media to Cast Government as Threat

May 26th – June 1st, 2025

Estonia Weekly: Pride Event Sparks Backlash as Kremlin-Aligned Narratives Resurface

May 26th – June 1st, 2025

Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Turn Austerity into a Punchline

May 19th – May 25th, 2025

Latvia Weekly: Exploiting a Viral Video to Reinforce Ethnic Bias Claims

May 19th – May 25th, 2025

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