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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.

Monthly Reports

July 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

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.

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July 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

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.

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June 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

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.

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June 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Monthly: The Return of the ‘Russian Card’ Ahead of Municipal Elections

By June 2025, Estonia’s ruling coalition faced mounting internal tensions over cultural and social policy, with a proposal to abolish kindergarten fees exposing deeper divisions among the governing parties. As pressure mounted, opposition forces reignited debates around the treatment of Russian-speaking residents, accusing the government of pursuing de-Russification and cultural exclusion. With municipal elections looming, the ‘Russian card’ re-emerged as both a political weapon and a reflection of unresolved questions about identity, inclusion, and national cohesion.

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May 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Monthly: German Brigade Arrival Triggers Wave of Kremlin-Backed Disinformation

The June deployment of Germany’s Panzerbrigade 45 to Lithuania marked a historic NATO milestone—but it quickly became a target for Kremlin-aligned disinformation. Pro-Kremlin media framed the move as foreign occupation, mocked German leadership, and used emotionally charged narratives to erode public trust in NATO. Economic and historical distortions further amplified efforts to undermine Lithuanian sovereignty and Western unity.

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May 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Monthly: The Rise of the Alliance of Young Latvians

Fringe radical populist conspiracy political party Alliance of Young Latvians has successfully leveraged social media platforms to mainstream populist and Kremlin-aligned narratives about anti-Russian discrimination and government failure, transforming from a fringe political group into a potentially viable electoral force projected to cross the 5% threshold in Latvia’s upcoming municipal elections.

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May 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Monthly: Victory Day Sparks Disinformation Surge in Narva and Tallinn

On 9 May 2025, pro-Kremlin disinformation efforts escalated sharply in Estonia, with Narva and Tallinn at the center. Narratives accusing Estonia of “erasing Soviet history” and suppressing Russian identity were amplified through staged videos and social media manipulation, while patriotic displays from across the border in Ivangorod clashed with Estonia’s public messaging. The events exposed ongoing tensions surrounding historical memory.

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April 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Monthly: Real Estate Tax Protest Becomes a Tool for Kremlin’s Disinformation

A protest against Lithuania’s new real estate tax in April became a lightning rod for Kremlin-aligned media, which framed the demonstration as a sign of civil unrest and government collapse. Originally aimed at aligning with Western fiscal norms, the policy sparked public backlash – now amplified by narratives of corruption, conspiracy, and social injustice. Disinformation actors portrayed the protest as a grassroots revolt against a failing system, using emotionally charged slogans, fabricated links to unrelated events, and high-profile influencers to erode trust in the Lithuanian government and democratic institutions.

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April 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Monthly: Intensifying Pre-Election Rhetoric

Populist candidates like Grevcova and Brēmanis (Alliance of Young Latvians) use emotionally charged content to highlight alleged government corruption and waste, often through unverifiable claims. Their videos on TikTok and Facebook generate more engagement than both Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels and rival populists like Roslikovs (For Stability). These figures leverage outrage-driven messaging to erode trust in Latvian institutions and promote anti-establishment, anti-government sentiment – particularly among Russian-speaking audiences.

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