Main narratives:
- Malign Western influence;
- General anti-government sentiments;
- The incompetence of the current government.
Overview:
Last week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania focused heavily on the Baltic states’ disconnection from the BRELL electricity network. In the days leading up to the transition, these outlets spread disinformation, warning that power supply disruptions would be inevitable. They urged people to purchase electric generators and claimed electricity prices would soar immediately. The repeating narrative suggested that such decisions only benefited politicians and the ruling elite.
The media campaign aimed to turn public sentiment against the disconnection by emphasizing that ordinary citizens would bear the financial burden. Panic-spreading tactics were widely employed, portraying the move as reckless and harmful to Lithuanian households. These narratives aligned with broader Kremlin propaganda, which seeks to sow distrust in Baltic governments and Western integration efforts.
A viral post fueled claims of disruption when former Seimas member Mindaugas Puidokas shared a Facebook post last Friday, alleging that a “Circle K” gas station was temporary “out of service due to power issues linked to the BRELL disconnection”. His post suggested the transition was already causing significant problems, amplifying the fearmongering spread by Kremlin-aligned sources. However, the photo he shared did not clearly show a power outage at the gas station. Puidokas sarcastically wrote: “A great and safe preparation for the disconnection from BRELL is already visible in Kaunas. There are no power disruptions. If you see any, quickly check your health or political views.” This attempt to discredit the transition was part of a broader misinformation campaign against Lithuania’s energy independence efforts.
