Description
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Baltic states have intensified efforts to counter the threat and impact of Russian foreign interference (FI). Particular attention has been directed toward the region’s so-called “Russian-speaking” populations, who are portrayed as especially vulnerable to Russian influence. Yet, while these communities feature prominently in the security discourses of policymakers, experts, and the public, little is known about how they themselves understand the threat of foreign interference, the measures designed to counter it, and their own role within these processes. This paper addresses this gap through a bottom-up analysis of how FI and counter-FI initiatives are experienced in two predominantly Russian-speaking communities: Daugavpils in Latvia and Narva in Estonia. Grounded in a vernacular security approach, the study explores how state-level security measures intersect with “localized security imaginaries”. It asks: How do residents of Daugavpils and Narva perceive and experience foreign interference campaigns? How do they interpret and respond to state policies aimed at countering them? Do these measures foster a sense of resilience and security, or generate new insecurities? To answer these questions, the paper will draw on qualitative data from interviews and focus groups conducted during fieldwork in November 2025 and spring 2026.
