RIA Novosti Publishes, Then Deletes Article on New 'Special Operation' Against Lithuania
Russian state agency RIA Novosti briefly published an opinion piece suggesting Russia would launch a new 'special military operation' against Lithuania, referencing a nuclear threat, before deleting it. The article's deletion and the lack of official confirmation leave its status as official signaling or disinformation unclear. This is a notable escalation in rhetoric against a NATO member, potentially testing alliance resolve.
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Russia Escalates Nuclear Rhetoric Against Lithuania via State Media, Then Retracts
Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti published and subsequently removed an article by a Valdai Club co-founder suggesting a 'short SVO' against Lithuania, explicitly referencing nuclear-capable missiles without ground forces. This marks a significant, albeit retracted, escalation in official Russian rhetoric toward a NATO member, signaling potential intent to test NATO resolve while maintaining plausible deniability. The incident's status as official signaling versus an editorial trial balloon remains unclear.