Russian propaganda portrays Baltics as both weak and dangerous

Russian propaganda depicts the Baltic region in two contradictory realities: on one hand, it is a weak, dependent, and 'extinct' territory plagued by Russophobia and economic collapse; on the other, it is a dangerous NATO foothold threatening Russia. According to experts, this contradiction is not a mistake but a deliberate method to evoke fear, anger, and resentment, rather than logical consistency.

In the discussion on the podcast 'What Was That Anyway?!' in its new segment 'Behind the Curtain', journalist Anastasija Tetarenko-Supe, researcher Elīna Vrobļevska, and disinformation expert Mārtiņš Hiršs noted that the Baltics are used as a convenient symbol to criticize NATO and the EU. Russian state media often refer to the Baltic states as 'Baltics emirates'—a wordplay combining 'extinction' and 'emirates'—highlighting their failure and alleged LGBT propaganda.

One of the most persistent narratives is the alleged oppression of Russian speakers. Real legal processes, such as residency requirements in Latvia, are twisted into emotional stories about 'deporting elderly people'. Experts emphasize that modern propaganda goes beyond lies; it uses real facts but places them in a distorted context. For instance, drone incidents and air raid alarms are exploited to sow doubt about Latvia's support for Ukraine.

Kremlin propaganda is not limited to Russian-speaking audiences—it also spreads in Latvian, especially on social media and Telegram channels. Combating it requires more than fact-checking; underlying issues like poverty and marginalization must be addressed, as these make people susceptible to such narratives. As Hiršs stated, 'you cannot sprinkle strategic communication on poverty or unemployment'.