Military: Last year, Belarusian media increased distrust of Lithuania and NATO
A Lithuanian military official reported that Belarusian media heightened skepticism towards Lithuania and NATO in 2025, aiming to undermine public confidence and portray NATO as divided.
At a recent press conference, Colonel Bagočiūnas from the Lithuanian military highlighted the growing influence of Belarusian media in fostering distrust towards Lithuania and NATO. He noted that the aim of this propaganda is to illustrate a lack of unity within NATO and depict Lithuania's government as irrational in its dealings with Belarus. This manipulation of public perception is viewed as a strategic effort by neighboring countries to weaken Lithuania's societal resilience against external threats.
The colonel pointed out that 2025 witnessed a notable increase in hybrid incidents across Europe, with Lithuania experiencing airspace violations and potential threats to key infrastructure. These incidents were often leveraged by propagandists to create a narrative of instability and aggression, pushing the idea that Lithuania's stance is harmful to its own security. Bagočiūnas’ insights reflect concerns over the evolution of information warfare in the region, particularly influenced by Russia and Belarus.
Furthermore, Bagočiūnas emphasized that the primary objective of such disinformation tactics is to demoralize the populace and erode their resolve to resist external pressures. The Lithuanian military is acutely aware of the implications of these strategies, which seek to undermine public trust in both the state and its alliances. The emphasis lies in the importance of countering these narratives to maintain national integrity and support for NATO objectives in the Baltic region.