On the popular social network TikTok, pro-Russian videos are actively spreading false claims about the alleged existence of a “Klaipėda People’s Republic.” The creators of this content insist that the city of Klaipėda and its strategically important seaport supposedly belong to Russia—or should be returned to it.
According to the Lithuanian State Security Department (SSD), this is part of a Kremlin information operation aimed at destabilizing Lithuanian society and fueling separatist sentiments. The videos feature:
A Russian-style version of the Klaipėda region’s coat of arms;
AI-generated images of Russian flags allegedly flying in the city;
Captions such as “Klaipėda People’s Republic” and slogans like “Make Klaipėda Russian again”;
Claims that the Klaipėda port is Russian property.
The SSD emphasizes that such fakes are a typical tool of Russia’s hybrid influence, previously used to prepare an informational backdrop before aggression against neighboring countries.
Lithuania’s Prosecutor General’s Office has already launched a pre-trial investigation into the dissemination of this disinformation. Authorities urge residents not to fall for provocations and to report such materials.