Report
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
Lithuania Weekly: May 9th as a Propaganda Tool
Kremlin-aligned media amplified Victory Day commemorations while accusing Lithuania of attempting to erase historical memory. President Nausėda’s criticism of the Moscow parade sparked a coordinated backlash, fueling claims that Baltic leaders are disrespectful of Russian traditions. Disinformation sources further misled audiences with unrelated headlines and narratives portraying Lithuania as ideologically lost and historically ignorant – reinforcing broader efforts to divide society and bolster pro-Russian sentiment.
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Latvia Weekly: How a Fringe Party Leveraged Disinformation for Political Ascent
The Alliance of Young Latvians, led by Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis, has gained significant social media traction by promoting pro-Kremlin narratives that frame Russian speakers as victims of systematic persecution in Latvia, while simultaneously advancing conspiratorial claims about international organizations like the WHO. As this formerly fringe political entity approaches potential representation in upcoming elections, their strategic amplification of manufactured victimhood narratives and sovereignty-based conspiracies demonstrates the mainstreaming of Kremlin-aligned disinformation within Latvia’s political discourse.
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Estonia Weekly: Europe Day and Victory Day Clash in Narva
Tensions escalated during Europe Day and so-called ‘Victory Day’ celebrations, with Russia intensifying propaganda efforts. Pro-Kremlin social media commentators criticize Europe’s Day as artificial, highlighting 9 May as ‘Victory Day’ for millions of Russians and accusing Estonia of rewriting WWII history.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Targets Lithuanian Leadership
This past week, Kremlin-aligned outlets seized on a protest in Vilnius against the proposed real estate tax, using it as a platform for conspiracy theories and anti-government rhetoric. Alongside slogans portraying the tax as an attack on ordinary citizens, commentary amplified the coincidental timing of a fire at a nearby waste facility, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to suppress protest turnout. The tax itself was framed as a corrupt scheme by political elites, furthering narratives aimed at eroding trust in Lithuania’s leadership and democratic institutions.
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Monthly Reports
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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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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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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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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