Fake “threat to peace”: how propaganda portrays NATO exercises in the Baltic states and Poland
In pro-Russian media outlets and social media, claims are being circulated that NATO military exercises in the Baltic states and Poland allegedly pose a threat to peace and could provoke escalation near the borders of Russia and Belarus. The authors of these messages argue that the exercises are taking place “directly at the border” and are intended as a show of force and a provocation.
This disinformation narrative was highlighted by analysts from EUvsDisinfo.
The publications also refer to an incident on 30 November 2025, when a Lithuanian drone allegedly crashed in the Belarusian city of Grodno. According to the claims, its navigation program included an unauthorized flight over Belarusian territory to Poland and back to Lithuania. Propaganda sources argue that such flights could have “irreversible consequences” and threaten the region’s “fragile peace”.
According to analysts, these claims are another example of the pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying NATO as an “aggressive,” anti-Russian alliance supposedly preparing for war. In reality, NATO exercises in the Baltic states and Poland take place regularly on the territory of NATO member states and are purely defensive in nature.
Regarding the incident of 30 November 2025, the Belarusian authorities claimed that a Lithuanian drone had crashed in Grodno and was allegedly intended to deliver white-red-white flags, symbols that are banned in Belarus. Lithuania categorically denied any involvement. Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas described the accusations as “fake news” originating from an unfriendly regime.
NATO is a defensive political and military alliance. Its primary purpose is to preserve peace and safeguard the independence, security, and territorial integrity of its member states. NATO’s official position is that the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia. Military exercises are conducted according to established procedures, with an emphasis on transparency, announced in advance, and subject to international oversight.