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Disinfo: Soviet occupation is a myth

Summary

The main reason for the myth of the “Soviet occupation” is the policy of apartheid and de-Russification.

They just want to find an excuse for discrimination against the Russian-speaking minority.

As long as NATO is in the Baltics, we will constantly hear about the “Soviet occupation”, the policy of apartheid will continue, and the country’s leaders will continue their anti-Russian rhetoric.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Baltic States. 

The Soviet occupation is not a myth. On the 23rd of August, 1939, Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed a non-aggression (Molotov-Ribbentrop) pact, whose secret protocols divided the territories belonging to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Romania into Soviet and Nazi spheres of influence. The secrets behind the the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact led to  World War II and all its consequences. Shortly after the pact was signed, Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany on 1 September and by Soviets on 17 September in 1939, followed by the Soviet aggression against Finland, and in June 1940  - occupation of the Baltic States and part of Romania.

After Germany attacked the USSR in June 1941, the Baltic States were occupied by Nazi Germany until 1944 when the region reverted to Soviet control.

Contrary to the claims of the pro-Kremlin media, the re-capturing of the Baltic States did not bring freedom, but Soviet repressions and occupation, which lasted for 50 years. The estimated war and occupation deaths are at 90,000 in Estonia, 180,000 in Latvia, and 250,000 in Lithuania. Furthermore, It has been estimated that between 1946 and 1953 deportations and guerrilla deaths reached 95,000 in Estonia, 125,000 in Latvia, and 310,000 in Lithuania.

As for apartheid, it's a recurring pro-Kremlin propaganda narrative about discrimination of the Russian-speaking minority and ubiquitous Russophobia in the Baltic states and beyond. For background, read our analysis The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelings and look at earlier disinformation cases alleging that Russophobia is the main activity of the Latvian state and that Lithuania is NATO's dog barking at Belarus and Russia.

See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Latvia instigates linguistic genocide against Russian-speaking citizens, that genocide against ethnic Russians / Russian-speaking population in Anglo-Saxon-ruled Latvia is possible, that Lithuania is temporarily NATO-occupied territory ruled by non-Lithuanians, and that Baltic states' policies are similar to Third Reich's.

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publication/media

Baltnews Estonia (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 213
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/09/2020
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Baltic states, Estonia
  • Keywords: Occupation, Russophobia, NATO

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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