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Firewall Against the Kremlin: Latvia Bans Russian Propaganda Sites
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Latvia’s National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has blocked access to ten additional websites accused of spreading Russian propaganda, bringing the total number of restricted sites to 413 since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to LSM on August 4, the Council said these websites justify Russia’s war against Ukraine, glorify the occupation of Ukrainian territory, and provide informational support to Russia.
Council member Ieva Kalderauska explained that the largest wave of blocks came in 2022, when 169 websites were taken down. An additional 137 were blocked in 2023, and 88 more have been restricted so far this year.
NEPLP says the restrictions are proving effective. According to their estimates, if access were not blocked, between 40,000 and 68,000 people in Latvia could be exposed to Russian propaganda each month LSM reported. Attempts to access banned sites reach up to half a million monthly—often with users making repeated attempts.
“We review what exactly is published on the website—what kind of news, how much content, and how the information is presented. If, after analysis, our findings are confirmed by law enforcement agencies, we make a final decision. Yes, it’s a complex process—all our decisions must be legally substantiated because any of the blocked websites can file an appeal,” Kalderauska said.
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Software engineer Elviss Strazdinš also supports the measures, noting that many users primarily consume propaganda through specific websites. Once access is blocked, most don’t look for alternatives, and those unfamiliar with technology are often unable to bypass restrictions. New propaganda sites, he added, struggle to rebuild an audience.
“Of course, it's impossible to completely cut off access to this kind of content. It still spreads—through social media, covert advertising, and other means. But that’s no reason to do nothing. The worst thing would be to just shrug it off. Right now, we’re doing everything within our power. More can be done—for example, by working more actively with social media platforms, urging them to remove harmful content more frequently,” said Strazdinš.
Earlier, the Moldovan government blocked the HaiTV app and its associated website for illegally streaming prohibited content originating from Russia and Belarus.
