Dezinformation campaigns target European security, impacting Lithuania and other nations; critical thinking is key to defense.
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Anti-state information activists are increasingly active due to widespread disinformation and informational attacks, which affect residents across Europe and are closely monitored by security services. Lithuanian military analysts track and analyze disinformation targeting the Lithuanian armed forces and state defense. Both the military and NATO face efforts from hostile actors aiming to undermine Lithuania’s security measures, such as modernization and NATO presence, by discrediting these actions. Last year, Lithuania recorded 3,520 unique instances of anti-state information activities intended to reduce public support for national defense, NATO, and aid to Ukraine among Lithuanian, Western, Russian, and Belarusian audiences. Despite some public skepticism, research suggests that the general resilience of Lithuanian citizens against disinformation is good, as many recognize foreign influence operations. In contrast, Bulgaria has been identified by the Open Society Institute as the most vulnerable EU country to disinformation due to low media literacy. Experts note that while state measures are being implemented in Bulgaria, education on recognizing disinformation campaigns remains lacking. Furthermore, experts point out that hostile narratives often target national security issues, such as the deployment of German brigades or refugee crises, and that actors like Russia and China actively spread disinformation; for instance, China promotes narratives suggesting Americans are not allies. Ultimately, while states have tools to limit external disinformation, the military stresses the critical importance of educating citizens to develop critical thinking skills regarding the information they consume and share.
