Main narratives:
- General anti-government sentiments;
- Alleged sabotage against Russia;
- The incompetence of the government;
- Discrediting Ukraine and its effort to win the war.
Overview:
During the reporting week, the DHL cargo plane crash in Vilnius dominated headlines in Lithuania and drew varied interpretations across media. The crash, which occurred on November 26, involved a plane en route from Leipzig, Germany, that veered into a residential area near Vilnius Airport. Lithuanian officials initially cited technical malfunctions or human error as probable causes but noted that sabotage could not be ruled out. This uncertainty quickly fueled intense speculation, especially given prior incidents of suspected Russian interference in logistics and aviation sectors across Europe.
In Kremlin-aligned media within Lithuania, the crash was framed as a potential provocation against Russia, part of an alleged broader narrative aimed at tarnishing Kremlin’s image on the global stage. Some conspiracy theories emerged, claiming the incident was a precursor to the outbreak of war in Lithuania, driven by heightened tensions in the Baltic region. These theories were amplified by suggestions that NATO might exploit the crash as a pretext for military escalation. Combined with assertions of NATO aggression and Baltic hostility, these narratives sought to counter Western suspicions of Russian hybrid tactics while fostering fear and distrust among the local population.
