Main narratives:
- Education reform is Russophobic;
- Removal of Soviet monuments is Russophobic;
- Sanctions against Russia have harmed the economy of Latvia.
Overview:
Among the most popular posts in Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels and Facebook pages were critical of the government of Latvia. Some posts focused on alleged Russophobia. The transition to education only in Latvian and the removal of Soviet monuments was the main proof of Russophobia. One post ironically concluded: “It seems that the monument to Pushkin and Barclay was demolished, the graves of Soviet soldiers were dug up, but Latvian children still do not want to speak Latvian” (but prefer speaking English).
Other posts focused on internal problems, claiming that “Latvia shot itself in the foot by imposing sanctions against Russia” and expressing shock that a Ferris wheel in Riga is being built by a company owned by a Russian in the Ukrainian sanction list, hinting at double standards of the Latvian government. The messaging attempted to frame sanctions against Russia as bad and Latvia as inconsistent in the implementation of international sanctions.
