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Lithuania Weekly: Vaitkus Award Controversy Used to Undermine the Government

Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania continued to amplify the fallout from Eduardas Vaitkus’s award revocation, portraying it as a symbol of authoritarianism and political bias. The narrative was echoed by publisher Vitas Tomkus, whose provocative protest framed state honors as tools of loyalty, reinforcing broader efforts to discredit Lithuania’s leadership and its Western alignment.

Weekly Reports

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Award
May 26th – June 1st, 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Weekly: Vaitkus Award Controversy Used to Undermine the Government

Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania continued to amplify the fallout from Eduardas Vaitkus’s award revocation, portraying it as a symbol of authoritarianism and political bias. The narrative was echoed by publisher Vitas Tomkus, whose provocative protest framed state honors as tools of loyalty, reinforcing broader efforts to discredit Lithuania’s leadership and its Western alignment.

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5
Saeima
May 26th – June 1st, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Weekly: the Use of Social Media to Cast Government as Threat

The Alliance of Young Latvians positioned themselves as sole defenders of public safety and minority rights by highlighting criminal incidents in Riga, promoting anti-immigration sentiment, and repeatedly showcasing anonymous hateful comments towards their leaders. They were constructing an anti-establishment narrative that portrays them as the only politicians genuinely concerned about public safety, environmental risks, and persecution of Russian speakers.

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7
Tallinn pride
May 26th – June 1st, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Weekly: Pride Event Sparks Backlash as Kremlin-Aligned Narratives Resurface

Tallinn’s Pride event drew backlash from pro-Kremlin voices accusing Estonia of eroding traditional values and sidelining economic priorities. Speculative posts about police training with water cannons were used to stoke fears of government repression, highlighting how neutral events can be twisted to fuel disinformation.

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11
Vilnius
May 19th – May 25th, 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Turn Austerity into a Punchline

Government claims that rising taxes are tied to national defense sparked ridicule from Kremlin-aligned commentators. Satirical slogans and memes painted austerity as a cover for elite interests, with sarcastic quips like, “Land Rovers for 120k won’t buy themselves – let’s all chip in!”

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5
Alliance of Young Latvians
May 19th – May 25th, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Weekly: Exploiting a Viral Video to Reinforce Ethnic Bias Claims

The Alliance of Young Latvians extensively exploited a viral video of a woman at a judo competition shouting “Wipe your tears! It doesn’t matter! He’s Russian!” to her son, with both leaders making multiple posts attacking the woman personally and investigating her political connections. This coordinated response demonstrates how the party amplifies isolated incidents to construct broader narratives about systematic anti-Russian discrimination within Latvia’s political establishment.

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8
Narva
May 19th – May 25th, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Weekly: Government Moves in Narva Fuel Propaganda

At a ministerial meeting in Narva, the Estonian government confirmed plans for a permanent military base, a regional command centre and enhancements to energy security. Pro-Kremlin critics accused the government of oversecuritising the region, escalating tensions with Russia and violating freedom of speech.

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10
Minsk
May 12th – May 18th, 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania Weekly: Vaitkus’s Belarus Trip Fuels Anti-Government Rhetoric

A recent visit to Belarus by Eduardas Vaitkus has ignited fierce controversy in Lithuania, drawing sharp criticism from government officials and becoming a propaganda tool for Kremlin-aligned media. While Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė and MP Laurynas Kasčiūnas denounced the trip as harmful to national interests, pro-Kremlin voices turned the incident into a platform for anti-government rhetoric, fueling distrust in democratic institutions and framing state leaders as the real threat to Lithuania.

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5
Glorija Grevcova
May 12th – May 18th, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Weekly: Using TikTok to Amplify State Criticism

The most popular TikTok content from Latvia’s leading populist politicians centered on victimization narratives, minority rights advocacy, and exaggerated claims of government overreach. These politicians successfully leverage TikTok’s algorithm by combining personal drama, anti-establishment messaging, and minority advocacy to create emotionally engaging content that positions them as protectors of marginalized groups against an establishment.

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9
Baltic Sea
May 12th – May 18th, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Propaganda Targets Baltic Incidents

Pro-Kremlin commentators have exploited maritime incidents in the Baltic Sea and the testing of an emergency alert system to depict Estonia and NATO as acting in an aggressive manner that endangers regional stability.

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