Report
Lithuania Monthly: Kremlin Disinformation Aims to Undermine Energy Independence
Lithuania’s disconnection from the BRELL electricity network became a focal point of Kremlin-aligned disinformation, with media narratives predicting power outages, rising electricity prices, and government failure. Fearmongering posts and viral videos sought to erode public trust and frame energy independence as reckless and harmful. However, while these narratives gained traction among certain audiences, pushback from social media users highlighted growing resistance to disinformation. This case demonstrates how misleading claims and economic fears are weaponized to destabilize public confidence and challenge Lithuania’s strategic decisions.
Weekly Reports
Lithuania Weekly: Potential Emergence of the Fifth Column
Over the past week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania have zeroed in on political debates over the potential emergence of a “fifth column” in Parliament. Sparked by comments from MP Saulius Skvernelis and echoed by President Gitanas Nausėda, the warnings were dismissed by others as exaggerated. Kremlin-linked outlets used these internal disagreements to frame Lithuania as politically unstable and vulnerable to division.
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Latvia Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Channels Amplify Anti-Russian Narratives
Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels are systematically portraying Latvia as hostile towards its Russian-speaking population, amplifying inflammatory statements by public figures to create a narrative of increasing tension and potential conflict. These posts strategically cherry-pick incidents and statements to stoke division, presenting them as evidence of systematic discrimination and positioning the Russian-speaking population as victims of an aggressive, anti-Russian society.
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Estonia Weekly: Speculations on National Defence Issues
Estonia’s renewed coalition plans to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2026, sparking social media criticism of socio-economic conditions, potential taxes, state loans, and pension freezes. The Estonian President claimed over 50% of ethnic Russian residents are ready to defend Estonia against military threats, despite pro-Kremlin narratives being reacted to aggressively.
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Latvia Weekly: Kremlin-Backed Disinformation Portrays Latvia as Aggressor
A narrative gaining significant traction in the Kremlin-aligned Telegram channel “Anti-fascists of Pribaltics” portrays Latvia as irrationally aggressive and fundamentally opposed to peace. This channel systematically ridicules Latvian officials, misrepresents NATO exercises as offensive preparations to delegitimize Baltic sovereignty and dismiss legitimate security concerns as paranoid and unfounded.
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Monthly Reports
Lithuania Monthly: Kremlin Disinformation Aims to Undermine Energy Independence
Lithuania’s disconnection from the BRELL electricity network became a focal point of Kremlin-aligned disinformation, with media narratives predicting power outages, rising electricity prices, and government failure. Fearmongering posts and viral videos sought to erode public trust and frame energy independence as reckless and harmful. However, while these narratives gained traction among certain audiences, pushback from social media users highlighted growing resistance to disinformation. This case demonstrates how misleading claims and economic fears are weaponized to destabilize public confidence and challenge Lithuania’s strategic decisions.
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Latvia Monthly: Russian Propaganda Capitalizes on Trump’s Statements
Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels used mockery, selective reporting, and fear-mongering to undermine the Baltic States’ security, sovereignty, and independence. These narratives painted the Baltic States as weak, desperate, and subservient to the West. Suggesting that Trump’s USA does not care about the Baltics and that one day the Baltics might be forced to realign with Russia.
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Estonia Monthly: Disinformation Targets the BRELL Exit
In February, pro-Kremlin disinformation in Estonia focused on the country’s strategic move to disconnect from the BRELL power grid, which historically linked the Baltic states to Russia and Belarus. Misleading claims suggested that Estonia’s infrastructure was unprepared, warning of blackouts, energy shortages, and rising electricity costs. These narratives sought to erode public confidence in the transition, portraying it as reckless and economically harmful. However, Estonian officials reassured the public that infrastructure upgrades were on track, ensuring a stable shift to the European grid. The campaign was part of a broader Russian effort to influence public opinion and discourage Estonia from reducing its dependence on Russian-controlled energy.
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Lithuania Monthly: Defense Budget Increase Sparks Disinformation
Lithuania’s decision to increase defence spending to 5–6% of GDP has sparked disinformation campaigns, with pro-Kremlin media portraying it as reckless and harmful to the economy. Social media narratives claim the move will increase taxes, hurt public services, and benefit NATO over Lithuania. Critics, including political figures, question NATO’s influence and Lithuania’s priorities, while YouTube and social media amplify misleading claims about personal savings and economic fallout. This controversy highlights how strategic decisions are weaponized to fuel public division and distrust.
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