Report
Latvia Monthly: Disinformation enters mainstream politics
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: Defence Minister’s Resignation and Ukrainian Flag Debate
This week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania concentrated on the resignation of Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė, using it to fuel disinformation and conspiracy narratives about corruption and political intrigue within the government. At the same time, pro-Kremlin outlets revived stories about the Ukrainian flag in the Seimas, presenting opposition to it as a growing grassroots movement and seeking to undermine public support for Lithuania’s pro-Ukraine stance.
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Latvia Weekly: Trump-style manipulations about Convention against violence
Ainars Šlesers from the Latvia First party has intensified his disinformation campaign against the Istanbul Convention using Trump-style manipulation tactics, falsely claiming the treaty enables child brainwashing and gender changes for minors. His strategy combines conspiracy theories about elite corruption, personal attacks degrading opponents’ appearance and competence, and apocalyptic calls to save Latvia, creating tribal political warfare where facts become irrelevant.
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Estonia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Commentators Stoke E-Voting Mistrust in Estonia
Online debate last week focused on Estonia’s municipal elections and Omniva’s move to end Russian-language service. Pro-Kremlin voices questioned the integrity of e-voting and framed Omniva’s decision as “Russophobic,” reinforcing narratives of discrimination against Russian speakers in Estonia.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Targets Lithuanian Support for Ukraine and Belarus Opposition
This week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania intensified efforts to discredit the country’s support for Ukraine and portray the government as authoritarian and detached from its citizens.
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Monthly Reports
Latvia Monthly: Disinformation enters mainstream politics
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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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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Estonia Monthly: Kremlin Court Targets Narva Museum Director
A Moscow court sentenced Maria Smorzhevskih-Smirnova, director of the Narva Museum, to ten years in prison in absentia for allegedly “spreading false information” about the Russian army. The case sparked intense debate across Russian-language social media, with Kremlin-aligned voices portraying criticism of Russia as “Nazism rehabilitation.” The incident highlights Moscow’s ongoing use of legal intimidation and information influence to shape narratives beyond its borders.
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