[Moscow mayor Sergey] Sobyanin has insisted from the very beginning that strict quarantine must introduced in the capital and has been one of the main supporters of the media hysteria over the COVID-19 threat. Many saw it as a kind of political move to strengthen the power of the circles that include such persons as Moscow major Sergey Sobyanin that includes such controversial persons as Herman Gref (CEO of Sberbank of Russia), Elvira Nabiullina (President of the Central Bank of Russia). This circle is well known for its pro-Western, neo-liberal views and ties with the global elites.
Even during the pandemic of the coronavirus, the Baltic states are strictly following their anti-Russian agenda. Moreover, the terrible disease gave reasons to strengthen this Russophobia, including public statements that “Russians are infected with coronavirus more often than Latvians”. And even when help from China was brought over with the assistance of Russian aircraft, there was suspicion in the Baltic states.
Recurring pro-Kremlin propaganda narrative about ubiquitous Russophobia in the EU and beyond, mixed in with coronavirus-related events. Read more about EU countries' response to the coronavirus here. For background, read our analysis: The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelingsand see earlier disinformation cases alleging that Brussels uses Russophobia as a uniting idea to prevent the EU’s collapse, that Russophobia is the main activity of the Latvian state and that the Baltic states’ policies are equal to the Third Reich whereas Russophobia has become a Western value.