Russian lawsuit against Baltic states tied to security service-linked figures

VILNIUS - Moscow's plans to sue the Baltic states at the International Court of Justice over alleged violations of Russian rights are being prepared by individuals linked to Russia's special services, reports indicate.

An international investigation published by Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT on Monday found that the Russian claim is being drafted by the Moscow-based law firm Monastyrsky, Zyuba, Stepanov & Partners, which has involved so-called historians with ties to intelligence agencies in the preparatory work.

The investigation said the lawyers were being assisted by Nikolay Mezhevich and Vladimir Simindey, who reportedly cooperate closely with Russia's Federal Security Service, spread anti-Baltic propaganda and distort regional history.

Lawyers at the Russian Foreign Ministry began drafting the lawsuit no later than last summer, gathering arguments since the start of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Lithuania, along with the other Baltic states, has received five diplomatic notes from the Kremlin since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

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". Baltic governments have repeatedly rejected Moscow's allegations of discrimination against their Russian-speaking communities.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has said that Russia is continuing a smear campaign in various forms, seeking to spread a false narrative and accuse Lithuania and other states of violating international obligations.

Estonia has described Russia's plans to approach the International Court of Justice as part of a disinformation campaign. The Baltic states have also dismissed other accusations from Moscow, including claims that they have assisted Ukraine in carrying out attacks against Russian energy facilities.

Analysts say Russia has long used propaganda targeting Russian speakers in the Baltics to influence public opinion and fuel divisions.