Lithuania and Estonia have accused the Kremlin of spreading false claims regarding the deportation of Russian-speaking individuals from the Baltic states, alleging that these assertions are an attempt to divert attention from Russia’s large-scale attacks on cities and civilian targets in Ukraine. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia summoned Russian diplomats, accusing Moscow of disseminating misinformation amid intensified rocket and drone assaults on Ukraine. The countries emphasized that claims of preparations for mass deportations of Russian-speaking individuals and allegations that Ukraine is using their airspace for attacks on Russia are part of the Kremlin’s typical tactics.
The governments of Estonia and Lithuania told Euronews that the deportation accusations made by Grigory Lukyantsev, an official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are being utilized by Moscow to portray Russia as a victim and distract from its own actions in Ukraine. “Russia is desperately trying to divert attention from its aggression against Ukraine, as well as to portray itself as a victim and thus absolve itself of responsibility for the crimes committed,” the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. Meanwhile, Estonia accused Moscow of attempting to deflect attention from “Russia’s own serious violations of international law, including the forced displacement and deportation of Ukrainian children,” according to Susan Lillevali, a spokeswoman for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking to Euronews.
Lithuania dismissed the statements regarding the intention to deport Russian-speaking residents as “completely untrue,” while Latvia asserted that all individuals in the country are protected by the rule of law, regardless of their ethnic background. Rejecting Russia’s claims, Margus Tsahkna, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, stated that his country is a “democratic state governed by the rule of law,” and any contrary assumptions are “nothing other than baseless Russian propaganda.”
The accusations from Lukyantsev followed the release of a joint human rights report by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia, which alleges that the Baltic states are guilty of “Nazism” and “Russophobia.” The report also criticizes amendments to Latvia’s immigration law, which require Russian citizens to apply for long-term EU resident status, demonstrate knowledge of the Latvian language at level A2, and undergo security and background checks to legally remain in the country. These measures affected approximately 30,000 people, most of whom ultimately met the new requirements.
Long-standing Kremlin narratives
These accusations echo long-standing narratives from the Kremlin regarding the Baltic states. In its “Threat Assessment 2026,” the intelligence services of Lithuania note that Russia “consistently” accuses Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia of persecuting Russian-speaking individuals, glorifying Nazi collaborators, and rewriting the history of World War II. The report states that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays a central role in amplifying these claims through diplomatic channels and international organizations to justify Moscow’s foreign policy and increase pressure on the Baltic states.
The diplomatic demarches from these countries were also prompted by statements from Mikhail Galuzin, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, who claimed that the Baltic states provided air corridors for Ukrainian drones attacking Russian civilian infrastructure. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Galuzin’s assertions, made following successful Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure in Russia, as “outright false,” demanding that Russia “immediately retract this false information.” Lithuania and Estonia also stated that they have never allowed their territory or airspace to be used for drone strikes on Russia.
Condemnation of Russian attacks
The diplomatic dispute unfolded against the backdrop of another wave of rocket and drone attacks by Russia on Ukraine. In their notes to Moscow, the three countries condemned the recent Russian rocket and drone strikes on Ukraine. The governments referred to recent attacks on Kyiv and other cities, which resulted in dozens of civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries, asserting that Russia is intensifying its campaign against civilian targets. Lithuania stated that the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to war crimes. It emphasized its commitment to holding accountable those responsible for crimes committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin,
