Report
Lithuania Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Media Exploits Debate Over Inga Ruginienė’s Nomination
Kremlin-aligned outlets in Lithuania seized on public hesitation around proposed Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, mocking criticism and turning political debate into partisan blame. Pro-Kremlin narratives framed the controversy as a Conservative-only problem, urging them to “look inward,” while dismissing broader concerns – a tactic aimed at discrediting opposition and amplifying political division.
Weekly Reports
Latvia Weekly: Using TikTok to Amplify State Criticism
The most popular TikTok content from Latvia’s leading populist politicians centered on victimization narratives, minority rights advocacy, and exaggerated claims of government overreach. These politicians successfully leverage TikTok’s algorithm by combining personal drama, anti-establishment messaging, and minority advocacy to create emotionally engaging content that positions them as protectors of marginalized groups against an establishment.
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Estonia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Propaganda Targets Baltic Incidents
Pro-Kremlin commentators have exploited maritime incidents in the Baltic Sea and the testing of an emergency alert system to depict Estonia and NATO as acting in an aggressive manner that endangers regional stability.
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Lithuania Weekly: May 9th as a Propaganda Tool
Kremlin-aligned media amplified Victory Day commemorations while accusing Lithuania of attempting to erase historical memory. President Nausėda’s criticism of the Moscow parade sparked a coordinated backlash, fueling claims that Baltic leaders are disrespectful of Russian traditions. Disinformation sources further misled audiences with unrelated headlines and narratives portraying Lithuania as ideologically lost and historically ignorant – reinforcing broader efforts to divide society and bolster pro-Russian sentiment.
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Latvia Weekly: How a Fringe Party Leveraged Disinformation for Political Ascent
The Alliance of Young Latvians, led by Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis, has gained significant social media traction by promoting pro-Kremlin narratives that frame Russian speakers as victims of systematic persecution in Latvia, while simultaneously advancing conspiratorial claims about international organizations like the WHO. As this formerly fringe political entity approaches potential representation in upcoming elections, their strategic amplification of manufactured victimhood narratives and sovereignty-based conspiracies demonstrates the mainstreaming of Kremlin-aligned disinformation within Latvia’s political discourse.
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Estonia Weekly: Europe Day and Victory Day Clash in Narva
Tensions escalated during Europe Day and so-called ‘Victory Day’ celebrations, with Russia intensifying propaganda efforts. Pro-Kremlin social media commentators criticize Europe’s Day as artificial, highlighting 9 May as ‘Victory Day’ for millions of Russians and accusing Estonia of rewriting WWII history.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Targets Lithuanian Leadership
This past week, Kremlin-aligned outlets seized on a protest in Vilnius against the proposed real estate tax, using it as a platform for conspiracy theories and anti-government rhetoric. Alongside slogans portraying the tax as an attack on ordinary citizens, commentary amplified the coincidental timing of a fire at a nearby waste facility, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to suppress protest turnout. The tax itself was framed as a corrupt scheme by political elites, furthering narratives aimed at eroding trust in Lithuania’s leadership and democratic institutions.
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Latvia Weekly: The Rise of the Union of New Latvians
The previously fringe party Union of New Latvians, led by Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis, has gained significant social media traction and is now projected to potentially enter the Riga city council in June elections. Their viral content focuses on portraying Latvia as failing economically, alleging anti-Russian discrimination, promoting anti-globalist conspiracy theories, and positioning Grevcova as the authentic representative of Russian-speaking Latvians.
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Estonia Weekly: Debate Over Expanding Surveillance Infrastructure
Pro-Kremlin commentators on social media have criticised the Estonian government for expanding surveillance infrastructure to disrupt dialogue and spread conspiracy theories. A heated debate has erupted over the use of Russian in medical institutions, sparking a backlash on social media and potential Kremlin propaganda.
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Lithuania Weekly: Protest Against the Planned Real Estate Tax
This past week, Kremlin-aligned outlets seized on a protest in Vilnius against the proposed real estate tax, using it as a platform for conspiracy theories and anti-government rhetoric. Alongside slogans portraying the tax as an attack on ordinary citizens, commentary amplified the coincidental timing of a fire at a nearby waste facility, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to suppress protest turnout. The tax itself was framed as a corrupt scheme by political elites, furthering narratives aimed at eroding trust in Lithuania’s leadership and democratic institutions.
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