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: Pro-Kremlin Commentators Stoke E-Voting Mistrust in Estonia
Online debate last week focused on Estonia’s municipal elections and Omniva’s move to end Russian-language service. Pro-Kremlin voices questioned the integrity of e-voting and framed Omniva’s decision as “Russophobic,” reinforcing narratives of discrimination against Russian speakers in Estonia.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Targets Lithuanian Support for Ukraine and Belarus Opposition
This week, Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania intensified efforts to discredit the country’s support for Ukraine and portray the government as authoritarian and detached from its citizens.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Persist as Istanbul Convention Disinformation Wanes
Disinformation campaigns about the Istanbul Convention are declining, but Kremlin-aligned narratives persist on social media, with Russia-leaning politicians exploiting migration and minority rights debates to undermine Latvia’s Western alignment and portray the country as a Western puppet lacking sovereignty.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin narratives target Estonia over border incident and entry ban
Pro-Kremlin commentators portrayed Estonia’s closure of the Saatse Boot road as an “anti-Russian” provocation and mocked the country’s perceived weakness. Similarly, the entry ban on Latvian politician Aleksejs Rosļikovs was used to amplify narratives about political repression and curtailed freedom of speech in Estonia.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Amplifying Žemaitaitis Hate Speech and Targeting Ukraine Support in Lithuania
This week, Kremlin-aligned media intensified efforts to exploit divisive rhetoric in Lithuania – from portraying MP Žemaitaitis as a victim of “leftist attacks” to amplifying Ignas Vėgėlė’s remarks questioning the Ukrainian flag in Seimas. These narratives, paired with the mocking of opposition appeals and nationwide protests, reflect a broader strategy to deepen polarization, discredit political actors, and undermine support for Ukraine.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Disinformation Campaigns Keep on Targeting Istanbul Convention
Latvia’s conservative politicians have launched a disinformation campaign falsely claiming the violence prevention treaty promotes forced gender transitions for children, Marxist ideology, and the destruction of traditional values. These narratives closely mirror Russian information operations designed to portray Western liberal-democratic values as morally decadent threats to society, either deliberately amplifying or unwittingly enabling broader efforts to undermine Latvia’s European integration and democratic institutions.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Narratives Amplify Treason Verdict and Anti-Ukraine Protests
Pro-Kremlin voices online portrayed the conviction of a Russian spy as political persecution and used it to question Estonia’s justice system. Meanwhile, KOOS activists staged an anti-exhibition protest in Tallinn, spreading it across Russian-language social media to amplify pro-Kremlin narratives.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Exploit Adomavičius Resignation
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.
Read moreLatvia 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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