Report
Latvia Monthly: Disinformation Peaks Ahead of Final Vote on Istanbul Convention Withdrawal
While Kremlin-aligned disinformation has long been present in Latvia’s information space, the more alarming development is how local politicians have brought these tactics into the center of mainstream politics, making conspiracy theories and fabricated threats core components of parliamentary debate. Conservative and populist politicians like oligarch Ainārs Šlesers now routinely claim the Istanbul Convention promotes “117 genders” and enables forced gender transitions for children, combining Russian-style narratives about Western moral decay with Trumpian manipulation tactics including personal ridicule, “Sorosist” conspiracies, and apocalyptic calls to “save Latvia.”
Weekly Reports
Lithuania Weekly: LRT Becomes New Target of Kremlin-Aligned Disinformation
Kremlin-linked media pushed claims that LRT is politically protected and financially unaccountable, alongside broader narratives questioning Lithuania’s stability and future. At the same time, independent media attention centered on viral reactions to First Lady Diana Nausėdienė’s speech.
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Estonia Weekly: Coalition Negotiations in Narva and Tallinn Become a Target for Identity-Based Narratives
Pro-Kremlin voices have simultaneously portrayed the 28-point peace plan as a Western trap, called for Russia to pursue maximal territorial gains, and leveraged contentious coalition negotiations in Narva and Tallinn to stoke identity-based accusations.
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Lithuania Weekly: Disinformation Campaign Intensifies Against Lithuanian Leaders
Kremlin-linked sources repeatedly targeted President Nausėda, Prime Minister Ruginienė, and Minister Budrys, portraying them as responsible for a government in “collapse.” Highly engaged posts and sensational headlines framed them as incompetent or deliberately harmful. The narratives were designed to deepen distrust and suggest that Lithuania is trapped in manufactured political chaos.
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Latvia Weekly: Local Actors Amplify Stories of Oppression and Resistance
Local populist or Kremlin-aligned political actors painted a picture themselves as persecuted victims of an oppressive establishment while positioning their controversial stances as vindicated common sense. This narrative delegitimizes the state and portrays their radical populism as righteous resistance against systemic persecution.
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Monthly Reports
Latvia Monthly: Disinformation Peaks Ahead of Final Vote on Istanbul Convention Withdrawal
While Kremlin-aligned disinformation has long been present in Latvia’s information space, the more alarming development is how local politicians have brought these tactics into the center of mainstream politics, making conspiracy theories and fabricated threats core components of parliamentary debate. Conservative and populist politicians like oligarch Ainārs Šlesers now routinely claim the Istanbul Convention promotes “117 genders” and enables forced gender transitions for children, combining Russian-style narratives about Western moral decay with Trumpian manipulation tactics including personal ridicule, “Sorosist” conspiracies, and apocalyptic calls to “save Latvia.”
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Estonia Monthly: Kremlin Media Exploit Local Elections
In October 2025, pro-Kremlin commentators seized on Estonia’s municipal elections and language-law debates to portray the country as “Russophobic” and repressive toward Russian-speaking minorities. The narrative escalated after authorities barred several Latvian politicians from entering Estonia for a Russian-language community event, which malign networks reframed as an attack on free speech — merging ethnic-discrimination claims with pre-election propaganda themes.
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Lithuania Monthly: Protests Erupt as the New Culture Minister Faces Public Backlash
The appointment of Ignotas Adomavičius as Minister of Culture has triggered widespread protests across Lithuania. What began as a political appointment has evolved into a nationwide debate about cultural freedom, democratic values, and the growing use of cultural policy as a tool of political power.
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Latvia Monthly: Disinformation Portrays Latvia as Both Militarily Weak and Recklessly Aggressive
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels in September disseminated multiple narratives about Latvia, including portraying language education policies as discriminatory oppression, mocking military capabilities, and framing Russian military exercises as transparent while dismissing Baltic security concerns. Domestic disinformation intensified around the Istanbul Convention, with opposition politicians fabricating conspiracy theories about gender ideology and immorality to misrepresent a violence prevention treaty and undermine human rights protections.
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