NerijusM

How does information influence work when its goal is not to persuade, but to create doubt and weaken trust? In “Countering Foreign Information Manipulation in the Baltic Sea Region: Patterns, Responses and Gaps,” GSSC examines how Russian information operations unfold across eight countries in the region and how states are strengthening resilience. The publication was prepared by GSSC together with partners within a project funded by the Svenska institutet, in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius. Read more: gssc.lt/en/publication…

‼️Statement on the Orbán Government Accusing Me, an Investigative Journalist, of Espionage‼️ Today, the Hungarian government has filed a complaint against me for espionage. Accusing investigative journalists of espionage is virtually unprecedented in the 21st century for an EU member state. This is typical of Putin’s Russia, Belarus, and similar regimes. I have spent over a decade documenting how Russian spies and interests have penetrated Hungarian politics, so I am probably the least surprised by this. Despite growing signs that the Hungarian government acts as a Kremlin ally and copies the Russian model, I still trust that parts of the Hungarian state—and the judiciary—follow the Hungarian constitution, not that of the Russian Federation. I have never engaged in espionage. I see my work as journalistic counterintelligence—from exposing the hacking of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry by Russian actors to revealing the activities of Hungarian pro-Kremlin propagandists. Defending myself publicly would be easier if I were not bound by source protection. But that remains my top priority. I cannot reveal who provides me information or what I receive, including from within Hungarian state structures. If I were not a journalist, I could list many facts proving it is impossible for the Hungarian state to genuinely believe I am spying. Certain meetings, contacts, and information gathering could never have happened otherwise. This baseless accusation now forces me to share details of a specific investigation, including a conversation with a confidential source that appears to have been wiretapped. Normally, this would appear in a finished article or my upcoming book—not here. (It will appear there as well.) Since 2023, I have investigated whether the relationship between Péter Szijjártó and Russian officials exceeds legal limits. The published audio, where I’m heard talking to a source, mentions that communication between Szijjártó and Sergey Lavrov is recorded by EU intelligence services. Less attention has gone to my point that this relationship raises strong suspicion of political intelligence activity and influence operations in Russia’s interest. These are serious claims and hard to prove. As a journalist, I cannot force anyone to speak or hand over documents. That is why gathering this information has taken so long—and why I spoke to that sensitive source (while the conversation was secretly recorded). Serious claims require serious evidence, and I believe I have gathered some. I have not engaged in espionage. I have not cooperated with any foreign intelligence service in surveilling Szijjártó. Instead, I tried to verify earlier fragments of information about Szijjártó–Lavrov communication. I sought to identify the channels and phone numbers used, and whether a secret channel—possibly used by Russian intelligence—exists. In other words, whether Szijjártó uses a hidden device or number unknown even within the Hungarian Foreign Ministry. This was only one part of my research. The other, more serious topic is this: Since at least 2016–2017, EU and NATO intelligence services have had indications that large amounts of cash and precious stones may have been transported from Russia on Hungarian government aircraft or private jets used by government figures. Officials from at least six countries made such claims to me. These signals did not come from monitoring Hungarian targets, but, for example, from intercepting Russian officials discussing or preparing such shipments. Alongside Szijjártó–Lavrov communication, I examined how baggage screening and handling works on such flights, which officials travel with what luggage, whether more packages arrive from Moscow than depart, and how such shipments could be handled discreetly. I know how serious this is, and I would not have written even this much—but since I do not know what else may be taken from the edited recording, or what fabricated accusations (like, for example, that I was seeking such details to commit terrorism) may follow, I believe I must share this now. Why do I investigate all this? According to many sources familiar with the Hungarian state and counterintelligence, there is no independent body in the Orbán system able to investigate or act if a senior official is suspected of espionage. Government members direct intelligence services and set expectations. The services lack both tools and authority to investigate a government member. I knew this would be difficult when I chose to pursue it. But few people in Hungary can or dare to do this, so I felt it was my duty. We have now reached the point where the Orbán government—of which Szijjártó is still a member—aware of my reporting plans and the risk they pose, has preemptively accused me of espionage. I am a Hungarian patriot. I serve the public. As an investigative journalist, my job is to hold power accountable. Neither political theater nor legal threats will deter me.

The latest update on drone and missile attacks on the UAE has just been released. With this as context, I thought I would share some initial insights arising from this Iranian retaliatory campaign and the overall war against #Iran. 1/9 🧵

My latest for @thetimes picking up #elisabethbraw new report on Nordic/Baltic lessons for the UK thetimes.com/comment/column…

Espionage is an integral part of Europe’s security landscape. Researchers @FOIresearch have analysed open cases of individuals convicted of espionage in Europe between 2008 and 2024. The report challenges previous assumptions. The complexity is growing. foi.se/en/foi/news-an…

Atsparios Ortodoksų Bažnyčios Lietuvoje beieškant: refleksijos po diskusijos Lietuvos politikos mokslų konferencijoje naujienos.vu.lt/atsparios-orto…

Joint statement by the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau on countering Russian attacks in Lithuania 👇 prokuraturos.lt/lt/baudziamoji…

🇱🇹 Ministry of National Defence hosted Vilnius StratCom 2025, bringing together experts from Lithuania and abroad to discuss cognitive warfare and societal resilience. 🧠 The conference highlighted how minds—not just battlefields—shape modern security.

❌STOP DEZINFORMACJI❌Na Litwie doszło do pożaru wagonów, które przewoziły gaz LPG z rafinerii w Możejkach. Za transport odpowiadał podmiot zewnętrzny. Według informacji przekazanych przez litewskie służby najbardziej prawdopodobną przyczyną zdarzenia był błąd ludzki.

Potwierdzamy, że doszło do pożaru, a następnie wybuchu cystern kolejowych przewożących skroplony gaz ziemny z rafinerii ORLEN Lietuva. Do zdarzenia doszło na terenie terminalu LPG Baltoji Vokė w Wilnie, infrastruktura ta nie jest własnością ORLEN Lietuva, a za przewóz odpowiadała firma zewnętrzna. Spółka współpracuje z odpowiednimi służbami w celu zbadania przyczyny zdarzenia. Na tym etapie nie ma podejrzeń, że jest to wynik celowych działań.

💔 The body of a boy whose father and mother were waiting for him was pulled out from under the rubble, — TSN.

The mission to recover 4 U.S. soldiers from a Lithuanian bog was more complex and dangerous that you know. Navy divers could barely breathe in the thick mud, struggling to move as if it were drying concrete. They couldn't see anything and did their work entirely by touch.

And what we got instead? Russians did a thing they never do nowadays — used a KamAZ truck to deliver infantry during a day🫠

Today is bloody Palm Sunday in Sumy, Ukraine. Over 30 killed, children among dead. Many people were outside. Nearby there's a church where the blessing ceremony was taking place. At that very moment, Russia launched a strike, fully aware that they were in the mass. #WarCrimes

Russia has just hit Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine with a missile that killed at least 12 people, including three children. #RussianPeaceDeal #RusskijMir

Our Lithuanian Allies are dedicated to helping us find our missing Soldiers - we could not ask for greater friends.

Search&rescue of missing soldiers is ongoing. Our armed forces & rescue services are working around the clock. This accident is incredibly difficult&painful for us. Our hearts are with the soldiers, their families&friends. Thank you to the US Ambassador Kara C. McDonald @USEmbVilnius for standing with us. While the rescue efforts continue, we stand with the US troops. Our bond remains strong even in the hardest times.

Lithuanian defense minister: Only way to negotiate with Russia is with a 'gun on the table' foxnews.com/world/lithuani… #FoxNews

@ZwillingBogart @TW_in_LT @LithuanianGovt @LithuaniaMFA Oh wow, the dynamic duo @CarstenWestpha3 and @ZwillingBogart! Multilingual masters of Polish and Romanian, bravely battling Russian graffiti vandals in Katyn and taking on the Russian Orthodox Church? That’s some next-level multitasking. You’ve definitely caught our attention!🤣

@NerijusM Sir, regarding the news about the train to Kaliningrad, you stated that this is a Russian operation, but your arguments, in my opinion, are not very convincing. Especially since the petition did not call for a complete blockade of Kaliningrad, only a restriction on transit through Lithuanian territory. It seems quite strange to twist the facts, especially when there is evidence of Russian operatives infiltrating the area. Either you haven't studied everything thoroughly, or you're working in Russia's interests...

Our pleasure to welcome the delegation led by Vice chancellor Vilmantas Vitkauskas of @LithuanianGovt & DG Vilijus Samuila of Communication of @LithuaniaMFA. Look forward to more exchanges on countering foreign information manipulation & interference (FIMI)! 🇹🇼🤝🇱🇹

Europe stands with #Ukraine. Our decisions must speak louder than words. We must use Russian frozen assets. That's 200 billion euros waiting to be unlocked& put to work in strengthening Ukraine. This isn’t just money - it's a powerful tool Europe has in its hands. #Lithuania has suggested legal options for the seizure, lending& other ways to transfer Russian frozen assets for Ukraine’s use without violating international law. It’s not a legal matter, it’s a matter of political will.