Report
Estonia Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Exploit Debate on Conscription Language Rules
Both the debate over restricting conscription to B1-level Estonian speakers and the dismissal of a Russian-language school director were seized upon, especially in pro-Kremlin online spaces, to portray Estonia’s language policies as discriminatory.
Weekly Reports
Estonia Weekly: Status of the Orthodox Church Fuels Debate on Discrimination
Estonia’s president has decided not to make changes to the law on churches and congregations, but pro-Kremlin social media groups say the decision is for show. Estonia’s plans to build a military base in Narva have sparked criticism by pro-Kremlin commentators accusing the government of provoking Russia.
Read more
Latvia Weekly: How Outrage Is Fueling a Populist Surge
The previously fringe Union of New Latvians party is now polling to pass the 5% threshold for Riga’s city council. Its leaders Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis are generating social media engagement through content which can be described as “outrage porn.” They are stirring up outrage in their audience using charged and even fake topics to provoke strong emotional reactions. Guess the populist political party which gained the most engagements for its posts on Facebook, TikTok and Telegram? It was not Roslikovs, the leader of Stability! party. It was not Ainārs Šlesers, Trump-like leader of Latvia First party. It was Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis from the Union New Latvians.
Read more
Estonia Weekly: Concerns Over Russian Propaganda and Youth Indoctrination
Estonian Internal Security Service accused blogger Oleg Besedin of spreading Russian propaganda on his YouTube channel, sparking a strong reaction on social media. Besedin claimed he gives a voice to the ignored, accusing Estonia of violating freedom of expression. Russia is using cultural and educational programmes at the Artek camp in Russian-occupied Crimea to promote pro-Russian sentiments among Estonian children, turning the camp into a centre for militarising children and spreading Russian propaganda.
Read more
Lithuania Weekly: Silence After Tragedy Fuels New Conspiracy Theories
This week, Kremlin-aligned media escalated narratives around the Pabradė incident, accusing Lithuanian authorities of secrecy and mismanagement. Alongside renewed conspiracy theories, the government faced intensified criticism over defence policies, economic reforms, and institutional trust, with malign sources aiming to erode public confidence and amplify societal discontent.
Read more
Latvia Weekly: Russophobia, Decline, and Delusion – Narratives Fuel Division
Over the last week, monitored social media portrayed Latvia as Russophobic, tying this narrative together with claims of Latvia as an economic failure and dismissing the country’s concerns about potential Russian aggression.
Read more
Estonia Weekly: Seizure of Sanctioned Tanker Sparks Kremlin Backlash
Estonia’s navy has seized the Kiwala, a flagless oil tanker linked to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, in its first direct seizure in the Baltic Sea, despite accusations from pro-Kremlin commentators that it was overstepping its capabilities and potentially provoking inter-state tensions. Pro-Kremlin social media users also accuse the Estonian authorities of public Russophobia and violating the rights of the Russian-speaking minority.
Read more
Lithuania Weekly: Conspiracies After Successful Pabradė Operation
Following the recovery of the U.S. military vehicle in Pabradė, Kremlin-aligned media quickly fueled conspiracy theories, accusing Lithuanian authorities of withholding information and staging the event. By exploiting limited official communication, these narratives painted Lithuania as secretive and subservient to Western powers, aiming to erode public trust and question the country’s alliances.
Read more
Latvia Weekly: Propaganda Paints Latvia as Aggressor
Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels portrayed Latvia as an irrational aggressor and a powerless Western puppet lacking sovereignty at the same time. These narratives aim to delegitimize Latvia’s defense measures, undermine its international standing, and justify potential Russian aggression as defensive action against a perceived hostile neighbor.
Read more
Estonia Weekly: Propaganda Targets Censorship and Spending
Pro-Kremlin commentators accuse Estonia of censorship and violating freedom of speech after expelling a Russian nationalist Konstantin Gorlov from the country. Dissatisfaction with Estonia’s economic situation has led to online over a pay rise for public sector employees, including members of parliament and ministers.
Read moreShowing 91 to 99 of 331 results
Don’t miss a story.
We publish stories that change laws, lives, minds and the world. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our investigations delivered to your inbox.