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Estonia Weekly: Satirical “Olivier Salad Ban” Rumour Fuels Russophobia

Pro-Kremlin online voices in Estonia amplified both fabricated claims about cultural repression and criticism of long queues at the Narva border, framing these measures as evidence of “Russophobia.”

Weekly Reports

5
putin
August 18th – August 24th, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Weekly: Trump–Putin Meeting Used to Sow Doubt About Western Security Guarantees

In the aftermath of the Trump-Putin Alaska summit Pro-Kremlin Telegram framed European leaders as obstacles to peace while suggesting both Trump and Putin desire to end the Ukraine conflict. Monitored channels also used the occasion to label Baltic states as “puppets” and to mock NATO’s military capabilities following a drone incident.

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5
Refugees
August 18th – August 24th, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Weekly: Kremlin Voices Exploit Refugee Relocation Debate

Pro-Kremlin commentators amplified two controversies in Estonia: claims that children were encouraged to shoot at caricatures resembling Russian soldiers during Independence Day celebrations, and criticism of the government’s stance on the EU refugee relocation scheme.

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9
Inga Ruginienė
August 11th – August 17th, 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

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.

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5
free Ukraine
August 11th – August 17th, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Weekly: Propaganda Portrays Trump-Putin Talks as Abandonment of Latvia

The pro-Kremlin Telegram channel “Antifascists of Pribaltics” responded to the Trump-Putin Alaska summit by publishing fabricated “intelligence transcripts” portraying Trump as conspiratorially agreeing to abandon Ukrainian territories and Europeans. This story deliberately exploits Baltic historical fears about great power negotiations, framing the summit as evidence that America views the Baltic states as expendable bargaining chips in deals with Russia.

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5
swine fever
August 11th – August 17th, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Weekly: Swine Fever Crisis Framed as Government Incompetence

Pro-Kremlin commentators denounced Estonia’s expulsion of a Russian diplomat while praising U.S.–Russia dialogue, as domestic debate in Estonia centered on swine fever outbreaks tied to wider criticism of government policies.

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5
drone
August 4th – August 10th, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

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.

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9
Estonia
August 4th – August 10th, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia 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.

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10
drone
July 28th – August 3rd, 2025 by Urtė Andriukaitytė

Lithuania 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.

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4
Latvia military
July 28th – August 3rd, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia 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.

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