Russia Releases Report on Soft Power Strategy in the Baltics

On 8 January 2024, the Baltic News Network (BNN) reported that Russia has released a 136-page analytical report detailing strategies to enhance its “soft power” in the Baltic States. The report, unveiled by Pskov State University and published by Russian historian Aleksandr Dyukov, emphasizes the use of education, culture, and social networks to bypass propaganda restrictions. Notably, the report suggests exploiting platforms like Telegram and Vkontakte, citing pro-Russian groups like “Baltic Antifascists” with over 15,000 followers. The report also acknowledges the challenges of penetrating the information bubble in the Baltics, advocating for methods targeting Latvian, Estonian, and Lithuanian language speakers. Jānis Bērziņš, a researcher at the Latvian National Defence Academy, interprets these tactics as Russia’s shift from minority-focused strategies to broader anti-Western propaganda, aiming to destabilize trust in democratic institutions and promote Russia-friendly powers. This revelation is said to highlight Russia’s intent to transform neighboring countries into satellites, echoing its approach in Belarus and Hungary.