In the Telegram channel “Grodnenskie slivy,” known for spreading toxic and manipulative posts, a fake image of Gitanas Nausėda — President of the Republic of Lithuania — was published, allegedly showing him crying against the background of the Lithuanian flag and military equipment. The post was accompanied by text ironizing over his statement regarding the Russian-Belarusian exercises “West-2025” and hinting at “phobias” and “swamp complexes.”
This is an example of a disinformation attack using visual deepfake content and toxic rhetoric within the framework of FIMI.
Verification
The image is fake (deepfake)
An emotionally charged collage was used: Nausėda’s head was superimposed over another body with a “crying face” expression.
The original does not exist in open official sources.
No authoritative media, the Lithuanian president’s press service, or photo agencies (Getty, EPA, BNS) have published such an image.
Quotes taken out of context
Nausėda spoke about the transparency of NATO exercises, mentioned that “there are no grounds for concern,” but noted the importance of coordination.
The original words were taken from an interview and distorted in the headline and text.
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda held a regular meeting of the State Defense Council (SDC), which discussed security issues, the general security situation in the region, and the development of military infrastructure.
The following was stated:
Valstybės vadovams buvo pristatyta išsami informacija apie mokymus „Zapad 2025″, konstatuota, kad nėra jokių indikacijų, jog prisidengiant jais būtų planuojama bet kokio pobūdžio prieš Lietuvą ar kitas regiono valstybes nukreipta karinė operacija ar provokacija. Lietuvos ir užsienio žvalgybos tarnybos atidžiai stebi padėtį ir visų mokymų laikotarpiu – ruošiantis jiems, pačių mokymų metu ir po jų – skirs ypatingą dėmesį su „Zapad 2025″ susijusiai Rusijos ir Baltarusijos institucijų veiklai
Deepl translation:
State leaders were presented with detailed information about the “West-2025” exercises, and it was established that there are no indications that any military operations or provocations against Lithuania or other regional states are being planned under their cover. Lithuanian and foreign intelligence services are closely monitoring the situation and throughout the entire period of the exercises – during their preparation, conduct, and after them – will pay special attention to the activities of Russian and Belarusian institutions related to “West-2025”.
Disinformation narratives and manipulations
- manipulated visual content: deepfake created for visual humiliation
- delegitimization of Baltic states: attempt to portray Lithuania as weak, hysterical, dependent on NATO
- mocking and emotional exploitation: ridiculing the personality and national leader
- discrediting NATO collaboration: irony over coordination between Baltic states and NATO
Risk level: HIGH — content is distorted, toxic humor and fake image of an EU country’s president were used
Verdict
DEEPFAKE
The video is a technically manufactured fake (deepfake) using the image of the President of Lithuania. The content was created for disinformation purposes and distributed through a coordinated network of state media channels.
Classification according to EFCSN: Fabricated content / Technically manipulated media.
Distribution chronicle
Sources
