Latvia intensifies crackdown on Russian propaganda by blocking ten more websites

Latvia has escalated its efforts to counter Russian disinformation by blocking an additional ten websites identified as spreading Kremlin-backed propaganda, according to the Latvian public broadcaster LSM.

The National Council for Electronic Media of Latvia (NEPLP) announced the move as part of its ongoing campaign to safeguard national security amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. Since the invasion, Latvia has blocked a total of 414 websites promoting Russian narratives, reflecting its proactive stance against disinformation campaigns that threaten both its sovereignty and regional stability.

The NEPLP identifies these websites through a combination of citizen complaints, government reports, and its own monitoring efforts. Ieva Kalderauska, a member of NEPLP, told Latvijas Radio that the blocked websites pose a direct threat to Latvia’s national security by justifying Russia’s war and occupation of Ukraine while providing informational support to Moscow’s agenda.

“These are mainstream articles that supposedly explain what is happening, but in fact justify the war,” Kalderauska explained.

She highlighted that some sites even publish recruitment calls for the Russian army and encourage participation in the Ukraine conflict, amplifying their harmful impact.

The NEPLP estimates that the ten recently blocked websites could have attracted 40,000 to 68,000 monthly users if left unrestricted. Despite the blocks, the council noted that approximately half a million attempts are made each month to access restricted sites, underscoring the persistent challenge of curbing Russian disinformation.

Latvia’s efforts are part of a broader Baltic strategy to counter Moscow’s influence, given the region’s history of Russian aggression and occupation. Alongside Lithuania and Estonia, Latvia has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since 2022, providing military, financial, and humanitarian aid while advocating for stronger NATO defenses against the growing Russian threat.

Latvia’s fight against disinformation extends beyond website bans. The country has implemented measures to strengthen media literacy, promote independent journalism, and monitor social media platforms for Kremlin-linked propaganda. For example, Latvia has collaborated with tech companies to identify and restrict accounts spreading false narratives about the Ukraine war. These efforts are critical in a country where Russian-speaking communities, making up about 25% of the population, are often targeted by Moscow’s disinformation campaigns.

Historical tensions, stemming from Latvia’s Soviet occupation until 1991, heighten the urgency of these measures, as Russia seeks to exploit linguistic and cultural divisions to destabilize the region.

The Baltic states, including Latvia, are also fortifying their physical defences in response to Russia’s aggression. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have agreed to construct a Baltic defence line along their eastern borders with Russia and Belarus, a project set to enhance regional security in the coming years. This initiative complements broader European efforts to bolster defence budgets and modernise armed forces amid concerns over Russia’s actions and uncertainties surrounding the United States’ role in NATO.

Latvia’s defence spending, already exceeding 2% of GDP as per NATO guidelines, is expected to increase further to address these threats.

Latvia’s crackdown on Russian propaganda aligns with similar efforts across Europe, where countries like Poland and Finland are also targeting Kremlin-backed media outlets. The European Union has banned Russian state media, such as RT and Sputnik, since 2022, but smaller websites and social media accounts continue to proliferate, necessitating vigilant monitoring.

Latvia’s experience underscores the broader challenge of combating disinformation in the digital age, particularly as Russia intensifies its hybrid warfare tactics, combining propaganda with cyberattacks and economic pressure to undermine democratic institutions.

Caption: AI-generated image suggesting a person reading from his smartphone.