[ad_1]
Lithuania’s membership in NATO and the European Union, the strengthening of the Alliance’s capabilities in the Baltic region, bilateral and international relations, the pursuit of energy independence, economic stability, history and the guarantee of the Social security remained the main targets of misinformation.
In March last year, when the quarantine was introduced, the number of information incidents increased by 179 percent, and in April, by 323 percent. Conspiracy theories are used more frequently, with social media as the main platform that is spread by newly formed public groups, “antivaksaxis”, individual users or organizations.
The false information distributed is said to be COVID-19, an artificial virus and a biological weapon for the US secret services. There has been speculation about alleged plans of pharmaceutical campaigns or governments to launch mass vaccines for the population and expand the network 5G in the guise of a pandemic.
The COVID-19 situation has also led to the active involvement of third countries and non-state actors in the dissemination of doubts and negative messages about the treatment of the virus, as well as the efforts of various states and international organizations to manage the crisis.
A total of 1,484 incidents related to the management of the COVID-19 situation were identified in Lithuania and abroad from the beginning of 2020 to June 1.
Globally, the information channels coordinated by the Kremlin sought to use the pandemic to improve Russia’s international image, lift sanctions through the United Nations, restore and strengthen its influence in Europe, undermine confidence in the EU and the NATO and incite European unity and confrontation.
In the second half of last year, 1928 cases of hostile information activities targeting the most important sectors of the Lithuanian public sector were identified. They are mainly related to defense, foreign policy, economy and energy.
Among other things, after Lithuania questioned the transparency of the elections held in Belarus on August 9 and expressed its support for one of the opposition leaders, Sviatlan Cichanovskaya, great information pressure was exerted against Lithuania. Lithuania is accused of interfering in the internal affairs of Belarus, organizing, supporting and financing protests against the Alexander Lukashenko regime.
Since the beginning of 2020, ten hostile intelligence operations have been carried out against Lithuania, NATO and their allies, seven of which consist of intelligence and cyber incidents. These operations are related to the quarantine introduced due to COVID-19, the Lithuanian-Polish initiative on undemocratic elections in Belarus and the post-election period of the Seimas, and the process of transfer of power.
According to the military, last year’s hostile intelligence operations stood out on a broader scale and with a higher level of preparedness and knowledge of national and international processes.
The attacks were carried out mainly on Internet portals, social networks and email channels. The cyber incidents involved hacking, illegal access to regional media, state and municipal websites, and simulated emails from official institutions.
