Report
Latvia Weekly: Opposition Leaders Portray Themselves as Victims of Systemic Bias
Two Latvian opposition politicians have constructed narratives of systematic persecution, with Rosļikovs framing his prosecution for pro-Russian activities as evidence of disproportionate punishment for defending minority rights, while Ainars Šlesers alleges state-funded media bias that promotes government-aligned causes while suppressing dissent. Both narratives challenge the legitimacy of Latvia’s institutions by portraying courts and public media as politicized tools of the ruling coalition rather than neutral arbiters, using claims of selective justice to position themselves as martyrs and mobilize support among audiences suspicious of institutional fairness.
Weekly Reports
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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Estonia Weekly: Layoffs at Südalinna Theatre Amplified in Russian Media
Pro-Kremlin outlets played down Poland’s claims of Russian drone incursions. Meanwhile, a heated debate erupted over mass dismissals at Tallinn’s Südalinna Theatre. Critics have framed this as political pressure and alleged “Russophobic” policies.
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Latvia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Channels Exploits School Language Transition
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels are targeting Latvia with inflammatory messaging that takes discussions about education in Latvian language and reframes them using extreme rhetoric and derogatory labels. The posts demonstrate how hostile narratives are constructed by taking real events and embedding them within provocative interpretive frameworks designed to foster negative perceptions of Latvian institutions among Russian-speaking audiences.
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