September 2025.
As part of the program Regional Initiative for combating disinformation “Western Balkans Combatting disinformation Center: Exposing malicious influences through fact-checking and Analytical Journalism“, we present you a new analysis of fake news and disinformation narratives.
Russia and Belarus conduct exercises, Poland and the Baltic States – traditionally spread panic
The second half of September was marked by a sudden increase in incidents and heightened tensions between Russia and NATO member states from Eastern Europe and the Baltic region. In mid-September, Russia and Belarus held a joint military exercise, Zapad 2025, which neighboring NATO members interpreted as a potential threat. As a result, they temporarily closed their borders with Russia and Belarus during the drills.
There was an incursion of Russian drones into Polish territory, prompting NATO fighter jets to be scrambled in order to shoot down drones that violated Polish airspace. Poland also requested joint consultations of NATO member states on the matter. Other countries in the broader region, such as Lithuania and Estonia, likewise confirmed airspace violations by Russian aircraft or drones in the following days.
In response to these threats and airspace incidents, NATO launched a new mission on its eastern flank, named Eastern Watch, for an indefinite period. Russia’s activities—which many observers and experts describe as elements of hybrid warfare—significantly escalated tensions, prompting various responses from NATO member states.
Serbian domestic media reported on the situation, promoting narratives about a potential conflict between Russia and NATO, while emphasizing that it is actually the European countries and NATO members that are driving aggressive escalation against Russia or sowing panic to justify their militarization. The daily Politika wrote that “NATO is turning the Baltic Sea into a potential zone of military conflict.” The paper also quoted the Russian ambassador, who claimed that NATO’s military exercises along its eastern flank and the increased troop deployments are destabilizing the situation.
The Serbian branch of Russia’s state-owned Sputnik news outlet, in an article with the suggestive title “Who Is Pushing Poland Into a War With Russia,” dramatically insinuated that “Europe sees the Russian threat everywhere,” questioning the credibility of claims about incidents “from Poland… to Estonia.”
In another analysis published by Sputnik Srbija, titled “Poland and the Baltic States – Traditionally Spreading Panic,” it is claimed that “behind this hysteria lie the deeper interests of NATO countries—accelerated militarization, political justification of military spending, and preparing the public for long-term confrontation with Russia.” The author cites Russian commentators who assert that “Poland allegedly shot down Russian drones over its airspace… even though everyone knows those were not Russian drones but ones that came from the Ukrainian side,” adding that “they couldn’t think of anything smarter than accusing Russia of aggressive intentions.” The piece further emphasizes that “NATO’s reaction can be viewed in the broader context of militarization,” and that “one of the arguments and means of creating a sense of immediate danger among Europeans was precisely the staged drone provocation.”
Despite domestic media reproducing Russia’s narratives regarding the latest wave of escalation, in recent weeks high-ranking military officials and intelligence services in several European countries have released new reports revealing widespread incidents and Russian subversive activities across European regions.
Author: Igor Mirosavljević
