Report
Latvia Weekly: Disinformation Fuels Opposition to the Istanbul Convention
Ainars Šlesers of party Latvia First propagates false narratives claiming the Istanbul Convention promotes a “117 gender policy” and threatens traditional families, when the treaty actually focuses solely on preventing violence against women and domestic violence. He employs aggressive rhetoric against political opponents, repeatedly comparing Progressive party members to “Lenin,” sharing digitally altered images of them, and using terms like “gangsters” and accusations of “aggression” and “brainwashing” to delegitimize those who support the Convention.
Weekly Reports
Latvia Weekly: Disinformation Fuels Opposition to the Istanbul Convention
Ainars Šlesers of party Latvia First propagates false narratives claiming the Istanbul Convention promotes a “117 gender policy” and threatens traditional families, when the treaty actually focuses solely on preventing violence against women and domestic violence. He employs aggressive rhetoric against political opponents, repeatedly comparing Progressive party members to “Lenin,” sharing digitally altered images of them, and using terms like “gangsters” and accusations of “aggression” and “brainwashing” to delegitimize those who support the Convention.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin Media Amplifies Culture Minister Controversy
Kremlin-aligned outlets seized on the backlash against newly appointed Culture Minister Ignotas Adomavičius, framing his rise as a “victory against the cultural elite.” While thousands protested and a petition opposing his appointment gained rapid traction, pro-Kremlin narratives mocked critics and praised Adomavičius as a defender of “traditional values.” Public figure Andrius Tapinas, who highlighted evidence questioning Adomavičius’s suitability, was singled out for personal attacks in Russian-language media.
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Latvia Weekly: Istanbul Convention Withdrawal Debate Revives Old Conspiracies
Despite Latvia’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention in 2023 and its proven benefits for violence victims, conservative politicians in preparation for parliamentary elections next year have launched a withdrawal campaign fueled by baseless disinformation claims that the treaty promotes “117 genders,” “pedophilia,” and moral decline. This deliberately misrepresents a violence prevention treaty as a conspiracy against traditional values echoing narratives disseminated by Russia.
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Estonia Weekly: Narva Museum Director Sentenced in Absentia by Moscow Court
Pro-Kremlin commentators mocked Estonia’s UN appeal as “Russophobic hysteria,” while parts of Russian-speaking social media backed Moscow’s prison sentence against the Narva Museum director.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Exploits Cabinet Formation
Over the past week, Kremlin-linked outlets in Lithuania have fixated on the formation of the new cabinet, using conspiratorial narratives to question ministerial candidates and intensify attacks on President Gitanas Nausėda. Energy sector appointments, particularly involving Ignitis, were framed as corrupt deals benefiting political elites. These narratives, coupled with sweeping accusations of worsening living conditions and government deceit, aimed to erode public trust and fuel disillusionment with democratic institutions.
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Latvia Weekly: Kremlin Channels Spin Zapad 2025 as Diplomacy Success
Monitored Telegram channels mocked Baltic defense preparations and concerns while positioning Russia as diplomatically transparent. The channels claimed Russia’s Zapad 2025 military exercises were inclusive, because it was attended by observers from the US, Turkey, and other nations. The Baltic states’ refusal to participate was framed as hostile action.
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Estonia Weekly: Kremlin Denies Airspace Violations
Pro-Kremlin voices denied Estonia’s report of an airspace violation, framing it as a NATO provocation and amplifying nationalist rhetoric online. Meanwhile, some online commentators exploited domestic Estonian debates to push narratives about “Russophobia” and Western suppression of free speech.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Exploit Drone Incident and Political Shifts
Over the past week, Kremlin-aligned media sought to inflame divisions in Lithuania by exploiting both international and domestic developments. NATO airspace security was undermined through claims that Russian drone incursions into Poland were staged provocations, while LGBT rights were framed as moral decline following Lithuania’s first legally recognized same-sex partnership. Meanwhile, the newly appointed MP Inga Ruginienė was promoted as a challenger to the so-called “conservative clan,” reinforcing narratives of political instability.
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Latvia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Channels Mock Air Defenses
Following the crash of 19 Russian drones in Poland, pro-Kremlin Telegram channels criticised Latvia’s defense preparations, using satirical imagery to mock the country’s military capabilities while simultaneously portraying defensive measures as endangering civilians. The messaging employed contradictory narratives that frame Latvia as both militarily inadequate and dangerously aggressive, exploiting regional security concerns to undermine confidence in government policies.
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