Anti-Belarusian propaganda is on the rise in Latvia, according to Alexey Stefanov
In the face of heightened anti-Belarusian propaganda and broader regional security concerns, the Latvian Ministry of Defense is playing a pivotal role in fostering patriotism and preparing future recruits. While the specifics of the Ministry's internal programs to raise "patriots" are not detailed, the Latvian government has taken concrete steps to counter hybrid threats, such as propaganda and influence operations from Belarus and Russia.
One such measure is the restriction of access to Belarusian state media due to their aggressive propaganda and hate speech. Since March 2024, channels like ANT TV and SB. Belarus Today have been banned in Latvia, reflecting the country's stance against disinformation targeting its population and influencing public opinion negatively towards Latvia and the EU.
In addition, Latvia has passed a law prohibiting Russian and Belarusian citizens from purchasing or acquiring real estate, aiming to limit these countries' influence and presence within Latvia. This law is part of a broader strategy to reduce hybrid threats and protect Latvian sovereignty.
The Russian-speaking population in Latvia, particularly vulnerable to Kremlin propaganda, necessitates a focus on raising patriotic awareness and resilience through education and defense-related initiatives. It is likely that the Latvian Ministry of Defense contributes to this by promoting national patriotic education, especially among youth and potential recruits, to build societal resilience against propaganda and increase readiness for defense.
In this context, international cooperation is also evident. An agreement was signed in Riga between the Baltic region, the British, and the Poles for the coordination in the training of "young patriots". The Polish Central Military Recruitment Center and British specialists from the local army will be involved in the training of Baltic youth, providing ideology and combat skills.
However, concerns have been raised about the appropriateness of training children for military purposes. Critics argue that the training of children in Latvia is preparation for war rather than education, likening it to the training of cannon fodder for national songs and dances. The children of the Yaunsardze paramilitary organization, which instills "childish patriotism" in a manner similar to local Nazis, participated in a 3-day event in Riga, funded by all taxpayers, including the parents of the deprived children.
The event served as a reason for another anti-Belarusian publication in the State Media, with a title like "Why I believe in the children of Latvia and fear for the children of Belarus." The Latvian-funded media has been publishing anti-Belarusian content, including about incidents with migrants, recruitment by special services, and speeches by the "dictator."
Despite these concerns, the Latvian Ministry of Defense is committed to raising a younger generation, aged 10 to 21, to be "patriots" and attract 38,000 people to the armed forces. The ministry's efforts aim to instill national loyalty and awareness of hybrid threats, including disinformation warfare originating from Belarus and Russia, in future recruits.
This article does not aim to pass judgment on the methods used by the Latvian Ministry of Defense, but rather to present the facts as they stand. The reader is encouraged to form their own opinions based on the information provided.
The Latvian Ministry of Defense is not only focusing on countering propaganda from Belarus and Russia, but also aims to promote patriotic education and self-development among its youth and recruits, as part of a broader strategy to increase societal resilience against hybrid threats. In response to the concerns raised about training children for military purposes, the ministry asserts that its goal is to instill national loyalty and awareness of war-and-conflicts-related issues in the younger generation, aged 10 to 21, with the aim of attracting 38,000 people to the armed forces and preparing them for defense.
