Analysis of disinformation campaigns targeting security, national identity, and democratic processes across Europe.
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Disinformation and information attacks are increasingly prevalent in the social sphere, affecting residents of Lithuania and Europe, with security services closely monitoring these activities. Lithuanian military analysts track and analyze disinformation specifically targeting the Lithuanian military and state defense. They note efforts by hostile actors to undermine security measures, such as military modernization and NATO presence, by attempting to discredit these actions. Last year, Lithuania recorded 3,520 unique instances of hostile information activity, aimed at reducing citizens’ willingness to defend the country, trust NATO, or support Ukraine. While public opinion surveys suggest some susceptibility to hostile narratives, research indicates a good level of resilience among Lithuanian citizens due to public discourse and awareness of information attacks. In contrast, a 2022 survey identified Bulgaria as the most vulnerable EU country to disinformation due to low media literacy. Other EU nations like Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Estonia show better media literacy. Bulgaria faces particular vulnerability to Russian propaganda on platforms like Facebook, and its government has established a special structure to monitor hybrid information attacks. Hostile actors, including Russia and Belarus, tailor disinformation to Lithuanian issues, such as NATO membership and German brigade deployment, often aiming to influence democratic processes. Experts also note that disinformation campaigns are evolving, with narratives shifting to focus on Ukrainian refugees, the impact of military aid to Ukraine, and energy shortages. Furthermore, disinformation targeting LGBTQ+ communities is active across several European countries. Beyond Russia, China is also an active actor, seeking to strengthen foreign disinformation campaigns, notably by promoting narratives such as “Americans are not your friends.”
