KREMLIN INFORMATION CAMPAIGN IN THE BALTIC STATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ESCALATION OF SPRING 2020

KREMLIN INFORMATION CAMPAIGN IN THE BALTIC STATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ESCALATION OF SPRING 2020

Holger MÖLDER, Vladimir SAZONOV

The authors examine pro-Russian media outlets during the escalation of COVID-19  pandemics in Spring 2020 (March–May). Strategic narratives constructed and disseminated  by the Russian Federation for the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) may emphasize:  political and economic motives related to the policies of governments of the Baltic states;  status-related motives to disrupt the international system and Western-led political institutions  through the Baltic states; conflictual motives indicating opposing identities between Russian  and Baltic nations, which have often emphasized the Russophobic context of the Baltic  identity-building. These strategic narratives are part of Moscow’s strategy that aim is to  destroy the unity of West and to increase ideological fragmentation in the European Union.  Therefore, Baltic states have become an important target of influence operations conducted  by the Russian Federation because of their geopolitical location and strategic importance.

2020

covid-19, International System, crisis, Russia, politics, EU, Economic, strategic narratives, Baltic States, influence activity

10.7862/rz.2020.mmr.30

Modern Management Review

Publishing House of Rzeszow University of Technology

Management. Industrial management