Report
Lithuania Monthly: Kremlin Narratives Exploit Protests to Undermine Democracy
Throughout November 2024, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania amplified anti-government narratives, tying them to recent parliamentary election results and protests. These outlets framed events as evidence of systemic instability and exploited them to spread disinformation, fostering division and undermining democratic institutions.
Weekly Reports
Lithuania Weekly: DHL Plane Crash Sparks Conspiracy Theories
During the reporting week, the DHL cargo plane crash in Vilnius dominated Lithuanian headlines and sparked intense speculation. While officials pointed to technical issues or human error, Kremlin-aligned media framed the incident as a provocation against Russia, amplifying conspiracy theories about NATO aggression and regional instability.
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Latvia Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Paint Latvia as a Failing State
During the monitoring period Kremlin-aligned and local conspiracy Telegram channels spread disinformation about Latvia, falsely portraying it as a failed state through narratives about high prices, alleged lack of democracy, alleged healthcare issues, and fabricated claims about US diplomatic services.
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Estonia Weekly: Speculation About 2025 Blackouts & Migration Law
In early 2025, Estonia will disconnect from BRELL and connect to the European grid, sparking speculative fears of possible widespread blackouts. Social media commentators criticize Estonia’s proposed legislation to ban the use of the Russian language in residency applications, raising concerns about growing Russophobia in migration issues.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin Media Shifts Focus to Criticizing the Country’s Leadership
The “10 Minutes of Silence” protest on November 14 gathered approximately 5,000 people outside the Lithuanian parliament to oppose the inclusion of the “Nemuno Aušra” party in the governing coalition, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who is on trial for alleged antisemitic remarks. Critics, including President Gitanas Nausėda, have condemned the coalition as harmful to democratic values and human rights. Meanwhile, Kremlin-aligned media exploited the protests to amplify anti-Western narratives, portraying Lithuania as unstable and corrupt while aiming to erode trust in democratic institutions and support for Ukraine.
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Monthly Reports
Lithuania Monthly: Kremlin Narratives Exploit Protests to Undermine Democracy
Throughout November 2024, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania amplified anti-government narratives, tying them to recent parliamentary election results and protests. These outlets framed events as evidence of systemic instability and exploited them to spread disinformation, fostering division and undermining democratic institutions.
Read more
Latvia Monthly: Conspiracy Theories Target US-Latvia Relations
Kremlin-aligned channels and local conspiracy networks are leveraging political uncertainty, particularly Donald Trump’s election, to spread disinformation about US-Latvia relations and foreign policies. False claims about US military support, embassy services, and “globalist” conspiracies aim to sow fear and distrust, exploiting historical geopolitical anxieties and feeding into anti-Western narratives.
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Estonia Monthly: KOOS/Вместе Leader Exploits Russophobia Claims
At the World Congress of Compatriots in Moscow, KOOS/Вместе leader Oleg Ivanov threatened to form a “people’s front” to defend Russian-speakers in Estonia, accusing the Estonian government of Russophobia and voter disenfranchisement. His remarks, tied to the case of imprisoned party leader Aivo Peterson, signal a push for influence in Estonia’s local elections and align with the party’s broader narrative of human rights advocacy for Russians.
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Lithuania Monthly: Elections Draw Intense Focus from Kremlin-Aligned Media
In October, Kremlin-aligned Lithuanian media honed in on the parliamentary elections, amplifying anti-government sentiment. Articles portrayed the ruling parties as disconnected from citizens’ economic hardships, questioning the legitimacy of the electoral process and casting the leadership as ineffective. This coverage aligned with broader narratives critiquing Lithuania’s Western alliances and economic policies.
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