Main narratives:
- Discrediting Ukraine and its effort to win the war;
- Malign Western influence;
- General anti-government sentiments;
- Picturing Putin and Russia as internationally accepted.
Overview:
Despite the second round of parliamentary elections in Lithuania taking place during the reporting week, much Kremlin-aligned media coverage focused on Ukraine-related issues. Alongside anti-government sentiments and doubts about electoral transparency in Lithuania, a key narrative involved the recent BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
Kremlin-backed media portrayed the BRICS group as an emerging global force poised to challenge the current world order. These outlets emphasized the alleged decline of U.S. dominance, pointing to the summit as evidence of a growing multipolar world led by powers like China and Russia. The articles argued that aligning with Western policies has left countries like Lithuania economically stagnant, suggesting that joining alternative coalitions like BRICS could foster development. This messaging criticized Western-led globalization while promoting Russia as a recognized international player, using President Putin’s summit appearance as evidence.
The media also spotlighted events in Russia’s Kursk region, quoting Putin’s claims that Ukrainian forces were surrendering due to low morale and poor leadership. Putin alleged that Ukrainian commanders are shooting their own soldiers who attempt to surrender and that the Ukrainian government is struggling to maintain control over the situation and claimed that Russian forces are treating the captured Ukrainian soldiers humanely, in contrast to the alleged actions of the Ukrainian military.
