Latvia blocks new group of Russian propaganda websites

The National Council for Electronic Media of Latvia (NEPLP) has decided to restrict access to 12 more Internet resources that spread Russian propaganda.

According to Delfi, the following news websites will now be inaccessible in Latvia: baltija.site, baltija.eu, mk-chukotka.ru, prochukotku.ru, novomariinsk.ru, go-pevek.ru, gazetaingush.ru, ingushetia.ru, syzran-small.ru, samddn.ru, mysyzran.ru and anadyr.org.

According to NEPLP, the baltija.site and baltija.eu news websites published biased and distorted reports about events in Latvia, other Baltic countries, Ukraine and the West in general.

They forged an interpretation of history favorable to the Kremlin and a positive image of Russia.

The remaining websites distributed materials that justified Russia’s war against Ukraine, mobilized support for the Russian military, and legitimized the occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territories.

Such content, as NEPLP notes, “can negatively affect social unity in Latvia, interethnic relations, and support for Ukraine in its struggle for independence and territorial integrity.”

NEPLP received information about the blocked sites from competent state services, likely the State Security Service (VDD).

At the end of July, NEPLP blocked access to several Russian sites, including web resources for recruiting soldiers to participate in the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine.

According to the London-based think tank Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), Russian websites and online services continue to operate and attract a significant audience in the EU.