At the end of January 2026, a coordinated disinformation campaign circulated on Facebook claiming that Lithuania is not truly independent. The messages used misleading interpretations of real facts, such as euro adoption, NATO cooperation, migration policy, and border control, to suggest that the country is controlled by foreign actors.
BECID’s March Hot Report analyses how these narratives spread, why they can be persuasive, and what risks they pose for public trust in democratic institutions. The report also highlights how coordinated social media activity and the repetition of distorted claims can create the impression of widespread concern.
This campaign reflects a broader pattern of influence operations targeting the Baltic states and their participation in the EU and NATO.
In the report, you will find:
- key characteristics of the disinformation campaign;
- an explanation of why the narrative works;
- a risk assessment of its potential impact;
- practical recommendations for the public, educators, and policymakers.
Read the full BECID Hot Report to learn how this narrative emerged and how similar campaigns can be recognised and countered here: