Main narratives:
- Anti-government sentiments;
- Destroying traditional values;
- Building a police state in Estonia.
Overview:
During the last weekend of May, Tallinn hosted the Pride event, celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. The event, however, drew criticism from pro-Kremlin commentators on social media, who accused Estonian authorities of undermining traditional values. These voices, known for promoting conservative and nationalist agendas, argued that LGBTQ+ individuals should not publicly express their sexuality and claimed that the government should prioritize economic development over supporting such events.
Some commentators went further, accusing Estonian politicians of “destroying traditional values” by allegedly marginalizing Orthodox Christianity and endorsing what they termed “non-traditional sexualities.” These criticisms align with broader narratives often amplified by pro-Kremlin media, which frame liberal democratic values as threats to national identity and social stability.
Mr Oleg Besedin, the administrator of one of the most popular groups in the Russian-speaking part of Estonia, published several identical posts linking to the official police website. The posts reported that the South-Eastern Police Department had received training in the use of new equipment – powerful water cannons. The author of the publication suggested that this was allegedly a sign that the Estonian authorities were preparing a “brutal crackdown” on peaceful demonstrations against “social division, rising prices and political alienation” instead of addressing the country’s real problems. This kind of speculation was explicitly stated: “Any such purchase is not just about equipment. It’s a statement of intent. It’s a signal. And the message is: ‘If something happens – we’ve got ‘Enn’, ‘Rein’ and a can of tear gas. Think before you protest.”
Meanwhile, the mainstream media only picked up the news a few days later. An article about the water cannons appeared on 31 May. As well as describing the equipment, it included a comment from a police officer who had to reassure the public that there was no cause for concern and confirm that the photos circulating on social media were indeed taken during police training exercises.
This case illustrates how any news item, even a completely neutral one, can be used to discredit the Estonian authorities.
