Report
Estonia Weekly: Kremlin Propaganda Exploits Audit of Estonia’s Defence Ministry
Estonia’s Defence Ministry was criticized by the National Audit Office for major financial mismanagement, a finding amplified by pro-Kremlin commentators. Separately, a known Russian-speaking activist Andrei Vesterinen was declared wanted on fraud charges, which Kremlin-linked voices called politically motivated.
Weekly Reports
Latvia Weekly: Narratives Portray Latvia as a Pawn of the West
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels systematically portray Baltic politicians as foreign-controlled mercenaries who abandon their homeland for Western salaries, while simultaneously mocking democratic institutions through personal attacks and conspiracy theories about embassy-delivered “instruction manuals.” These coordinated narratives serve to delegitimize European integration and NATO membership by reducing complex geopolitical choices to simple corruption and foreign manipulation.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: Slur Controversy and Health Board Scandal Feed Public Outrage
Public use of the derogatory term “tibla” for Russian-speaking Estonians sparked controversy, leading to an apology. The incident fueled nationalist debates, while pro-Kremlin commentators seized on a corruption scandal involving the Health Board to further undermine trust in Estonia’s government.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Drone Incident Used to Undermine Trust in National Defense and NATO
Pro-Kremlin media heavily exploited last week’s Belarusian drone incursion into Lithuanian airspace, mocking the government’s response and portraying security institutions as ineffective. Emergency alerts were framed as panic-inducing, while NATO was depicted as unable to defend Lithuanian territory. These narratives aimed to erode public trust and paint Lithuania as isolated and vulnerable.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Drone Support to Ukraine Framed as Aggression in Kremlin Media
Pro-Kremlin channels have mocked Latvia’s application for EU defence funding, portraying it as corrupt, futile, and driven by blind loyalty to the West. Using sarcasm and disinformation, they aim to discredit Latvia’s security efforts and undermine broader European defence cooperation.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: Dismissive Remarks from Officials Fuel Kremlin Narratives
Recent political controversies in Estonia have been used by pro-Kremlin commentators to fuel narratives of government arrogance and detachment from the concerns of ordinary people. Meanwhile, critics accuse Estonian elites of promoting Russophobia and undermining social cohesion, thereby playing into the hands of Kremlin propaganda.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Outlets Twist Jobless Aid Talk into Military Draft Claim
Last week, pro-Kremlin media in Lithuania pushed disinformation suggesting the country’s independence is crumbling and NATO membership offers more danger than protection. Misleading headlines fueled outrage over a misunderstood proposal linking unemployment benefits to Riflemen’s Union membership, while scandals surrounding Gintautas Paluckas were largely ignored or downplayed.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Drone Support to Ukraine Framed as Aggression in Kremlin Media
Russian-aligned Telegram channels are spreading disinformation targeting Latvia and other Baltic states, portraying them as aggressors for supplying drones to Ukraine and allegedly conducting UAV strikes in Russia’s territory implying they could become future military targets. The narratives aim to delegitimize Baltic support for Ukraine, fuel internal fear, and justify potential Russian retaliation.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: False Mass Relocation Claims Aim to Discredit Authorities
Pro-Kremlin social media posts have distorted a realtor’s comment about a small number of Estonians moving to Russia, portraying it falsely as a mass exodus caused by government incompetence. Meanwhile, criticism of lengthy border delays in Narva has escalated, exacerbating tensions and socioeconomic pressures with no apparent resolution in sight.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Outlets Fuel Panic Over Sovereignty and Security
In the past month, Kremlin-aligned media operating in Lithuania escalated disinformation efforts by amplifying fearmongering narratives about the country’s sovereignty, leadership, and defense readiness. Exploiting recent political scandals and military developments, these outlets pushed claims of imminent collapse, internal corruption, and NATO unreliability to erode public trust and sow doubt about Lithuania’s future.
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