Plans by Moscow to bring a case against the Baltic states before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over alleged violations of the rights of ethnic Russians are being prepared by individuals linked to Russian intelligence services, according to a joint international investigative report.
An investigation published on Monday by Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT, in cooperation with Re and Delfi.ee, found that the legal submission is being prepared by the Moscow-based law firm Monastyrsky, Zyuba, Stepanov & Partners, which has enlisted the assistance of so-called historians with ties to Russian intelligence agencies.
According to the investigation, the legal team has been assisted by Nikolai Mezhevich and Vladimir Simindey, who are reported to have close links with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). The report says both individuals have promoted anti-Baltic propaganda and sought to distort the region’s history.
Lawyers at the Russian Foreign Ministry reportedly began preparing the case no later than last summer, compiling legal arguments based on developments since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Since then, Lithuania, together with the other Baltic states, has received five diplomatic notes from the Kremlin.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the Baltic states—particularly Latvia—of significantly increasing pressure on ethnic Russians since the invasion began, claiming that “state-sponsored Russophobia has spread rapidly.” The governments of the Baltic states have repeatedly rejected Moscow’s allegations of discrimination against Russian-speaking communities.
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry stated that Russia continues its disinformation campaign through various means, attempting to spread false information and accuse Lithuania and other countries of violating their international obligations.
Estonia has likewise described Russia’s plans to bring a case before the International Court of Justice as part of a broader disinformation campaign. The Baltic states have also dismissed other accusations from Moscow, including claims that they assisted Ukraine in carrying out attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Analysts note that Russia has for many years used propaganda aimed at Russian-speaking communities in the Baltic states in an effort to influence public opinion and deepen social divisions.
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