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.”
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.”
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Latvia Monthly: Alaska Summit Becomes Ammunition for Kremlin Propaganda
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels portrayed Baltic politicians as financially motivated puppets receiving daily instructions from Western embassies, while simultaneously characterizing NATO as both an incompetent defender and threatening aggressor. These narratives intensified following the Trump-Putin Alaska summit, which channels exploited to advance betrayal narratives and undermine Baltic confidence in Western security guarantees.
Read more
Estonia Monthly: Kremlin Exploits ‘Tibla’ Scandal to Push Narrative of Russophobia
In July, pro-Kremlin voices on social media attempted to undermine Estonia’s iconic Song and Dance Festival by reframing it as a product of Russian or Soviet influence. Alongside historical distortions, critics accused the government of wasting public funds on cultural celebrations while ignoring growing economic hardship.
Read more
Latvia Monthly: Kremlin Channels Flip War Narrative, Cast Latvia as Aggressor
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels are aggressively promoting the narrative that Latvia and its Western allies are the real instigators of conflict, portraying them as morally corrupt, militarily provocative, and Latvia as controlled by foreign powers. By framing Latvia’s defence initiatives and support for Ukraine as acts of aggression, these channels aim to justify Russian hostility and undermine trust in the Latvian government.
Read more
Estonia Monthly: Song Festival Targeted by Kremlin Disinformation
In July, pro-Kremlin voices on social media attempted to undermine Estonia’s iconic Song and Dance Festival by reframing it as a product of Russian or Soviet influence. Alongside historical distortions, critics accused the government of wasting public funds on cultural celebrations while ignoring growing economic hardship.
Read more
Latvia Monthly: Political Victimhood and Radical Messaging Fuel Tensions Between Communities
In June, Stability! party leader Aleksejs Roslikovs sparked controversy by declaring in Parliament, “There are more of us! We cannot be banned!” – a response to a nationalist proposal to restrict Russian language use. His remarks and viral social media posts were later amplified by pro-Kremlin media, highlighting how domestic tensions can fuel foreign propaganda.
Read moreShowing 1 to 9 of 72 results
Don’t miss a story.
We publish stories that change laws, lives, minds and the world. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our investigations delivered to your inbox.