The Baltic states on the war in Ukraine
Baltic outlets show Kyiv under siege; their only rebuke of Ukraine is Seoul's demand for an apology
Nobody in Õhtuleht, Delfi or Lrytas is angry at Ukraine. Their anger is aimed at Russia: Delfi calls Putin a "dictator" in its own voice, and Lrytas calls a car-bombed Russian ex-guard a "tormentor" without a word of sympathy. The one jab at Kyiv comes from South Korea's demand for a public apology, which Õhtuleht reported in its own copy. A Lrytas rewrite of the NYT adds that Ukraine is "more vulnerable today than ever before." Õhtuleht, 2 OctDelfi (Latvia), 1 OctLrytas, 3 OctLrytas, 3 OctÕhtuleht, 4 Oct
- Estonia Õhtuleht 3/10 at its hottest, 6 pieces
- Latvia Delfi (Latvia) 4/10 at its hottest, 6 pieces
- Lithuania Lrytas 3/10 at its hottest, 6 pieces
Heat is how angry or contemptuous a piece is towards Ukraine, scored 0 to 10 when it is translated. Warm coverage scores low. Hatched outlets ran nothing relevant; cross-hatched ones we can only partly see, because their feed only holds recent items.
The loud ones
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6
Õhtuleht's own war roundup says South Korean President Lee Jae-myung wants a public apology from Ukraine. Ukraine made public its handover of two captured North Korean soldiers after, Seoul says, Kyiv had asked for the handover to be kept secret. Seoul says the disclosure puts the soldiers' relatives at risk.
This is the only criticism of Ukraine itself in the whole set. It is a diplomatic row with a friendly democracy, and it has already reached Estonia's biggest tabloid. The tone is neutral and brief, but the story is out. Õhtuleht, 2 Oct
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5
Lrytas, relaying the NYT via UNIAN, says a critical shortage of air defence and Russia's growing arsenal make Ukraine 'more vulnerable today than ever before.' It says Kyiv's relative safety is 'over', and that five of the city's six road bridges are restricted or closed.
The coverage is sympathetic, but it tells a Lithuanian mass audience that Ukraine is weakening, not holding. That could feed doubts about whether Ukraine can last. Lrytas, 3 OctLrytas, 3 Oct
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5
Lrytas is openly pleased about a car bombing in Russia. The headline says a 'tormentor of Ukrainian soldiers' was 'blown up', and the story sits in a box headed 'Attacks on Russian war criminals'. It lists the generals killed by earlier bombings.
This is the most partisan tone in the set. Lrytas treats killings inside Russia as justice, not as news to be handled carefully. Lrytas, 3 Oct
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4
In its own copy, Delfi calls Putin a 'Russian dictator'. It relays Zelensky's claim to the FT that Putin has lifted all restrictions on strikes, and says FT-verified videos contradict Peskov's denials.
Delfi is not neutral here. It sides with Zelensky's account in its own voice and checks the Kremlin's line against outside evidence. Delfi (Latvia), 1 Oct
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3
In a wire-based report, Delfi points out that missile maker Fire Point is 'linked to Zelensky's closest circles'. It notes that Fire Point has postponed its ballistic missile's debut several times, after first promising strikes on Moscow by mid-year.
It is a small note, but it is the only sceptical line about the Ukrainian government in the set. If a Fire Point scandal breaks, this is the thread. Delfi (Latvia), 1 Oct
Where they split
Is Ukraine holding up or weakening?
- Lrytas
- It runs both stories. Via the NYT, Ukraine is 'more vulnerable than ever' and Kyiv's mayor says the city is being torn apart. Separately, it reports Zelensky's claim of 125–140 sq km retaken. Lrytas, 3 OctLrytas, 3 OctLrytas, 3 Oct
- Õhtuleht
- The tone is more upbeat. It foregrounds Zelensky saying, with a smile, 'where is my FP-9?', plus Merz's aid package. Õhtuleht, 3 OctÕhtuleht, 4 Oct
How far to trust Kyiv's own claims on weapons
- Delfi (Latvia)
- It adds context: Fire Point's repeated delays and its ties to Zelensky's circle. Delfi (Latvia), 1 Oct
- Õhtuleht
- It relays Zelensky's FP-9 promise without any caveat. Õhtuleht, 3 Oct
Recurring threads
The siege of Kyiv's bridges and networks
All three outlets lead on four straight days of Russian strikes on Kyiv's Southern and Northern bridges, plus attacks on data centres and mobile operators. Lrytas ran a long explanation from Ekonomichna Pravda: a total internet shutdown is impossible, but the mobile network core is exposed. Delfi (Latvia), 4 OctDelfi (Latvia), 2 OctÕhtuleht, 4 OctLrytas, 4 OctLrytas, 3 OctLrytas, 3 Oct
Russia as a lawless aggressor
Õhtuleht's blog intro says 'Russia continues to terrorise Ukraine's civilians' and quotes Zelensky calling the Russians 'terrorists' and 'barbaric'. Delfi relays scientists calling the drone strike on Kyiv's nuclear research institute a 'war crime' and runs Zelensky's 'no rules anymore' claim. Õhtuleht, 3 OctÕhtuleht, 4 OctDelfi (Latvia), 1 OctDelfi (Latvia), 1 Oct
Ukraine hitting back
There is steady, approving coverage of Ukraine's FP-7 and FP-9 missiles, drone strikes on Volgograd, Kaluga and Adygea, and the Vivaldi offensive. Most of it is wire copy repeating Zelensky's claims. Delfi (Latvia), 1 OctÕhtuleht, 3 OctDelfi (Latvia), 3 OctLrytas, 3 Oct
Merz's visit and the warning to Europe
The outlets highlight Merz's €1bn aid pledge and his line that the war affects Germany's security. Lrytas carries Sandu's warning that the war is spreading into Moldova and that Moscow 'must be stopped'. Delfi (Latvia), 4 OctÕhtuleht, 3 OctLrytas, 4 Oct
There are 17 articles, and nearly all are wire copy or rewrites of Ukrainian and Western outlets. Õhtuleht's live blog appears in five near-identical versions. Only three pieces are the outlets' own work (Õhtuleht c30a696122, Delfi 230d886272, Lrytas b0add8322b), and only the Seoul row criticises Ukraine. Everything above is an AI model’s reading of the articles below. Treat it as a lead, not a verdict.
The articles
New Russian targets in Ukraine: this could seriously affect life in the country
Nauji Rusijos taikiniai Ukrainoje: tai gali smarkiai paveikti šalies gyvenimą
Republishing Ekonomichna Pravda, the piece explains how Russia's late-September strikes on Kyiv data centres and mobile operators could degrade Ukraine's internet and mobile service. It argues a total shutdown is impossible but slowdowns, higher costs and mobile-core vulnerability are real risks.
There is no single point whose destruction would leave the country without internet.
Nėra vieno taško, į kurį smogus šalis liktų be interneto.
For Russia, destroying a data centre does not guarantee a long-term shutdown of a service.
Rusijai duomenų centro sunaikinimas negarantuoja ilgalaikio paslaugos nutraukimo.
A considerably more vulnerable target could be the core of the mobile network.
Žymiai pažeidžiamesnis taikinys gali būti mobiliojo ryšio tinklo branduolys.
Read the original in Lithuanian Popular Lithuanian daily, the old Lietuvos rytas.
LIVE BLOG | Zelensky: Ukraine will get its long-range ballistic missile this autumn
OTSEBLOGI | Zelenskõi: Ukraina saab sel sügisel oma pikamaa ballistilise raketi
A running live blog on Russia's fourth straight day of strikes on Kyiv's bridges and attacks across Ukraine, relayed mostly through Ukrainian officials and Reuters. It covers Merz's Kyiv visit with €1bn in military aid, Zelensky's claim of a new Russian doctrine targeting civilians, and Ukraine's own drone strikes on Russia.
The Russian terrorists simply wanted to attack the Academy of Sciences and destroy it. It was an absolutely horrific attack.
Vene terroristid tahtsid lihtsalt Teaduste Akadeemiat rünnata ja hävitada. See oli täiesti kohutav rünnak.
If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us.
Kui Venemaad ei peatata, pöördub varem või hiljem selle sõjamasin meie vastu.
Russia attacks Kyiv's bridges for the fourth day in a row
Venemaa ründab neljandat päeva järjest Kiievi sildu
Read the original in Estonian Estonia's biggest tabloid.
War in Ukraine. Kremlin announces 3 demands for ensuring peace in Ukraine
Karas Ukrainoje. Kremlius skelbia 3 reikalavimus taikai Ukrainoje užtikrinti
Brief news item relaying Moldovan President Sandu's statement that Russian drones and cruise missiles crossed into and exploded in Moldova, and that Moscow threatens Europe and must be stopped. The headline promises Kremlin peace demands, but the text doesn't cover them.
The war, in her words, is dangerously spreading into Moldova.
Karas, anot jos, pavojingai persikelia į Moldovą.
Moscow endangers people across Europe and must be stopped, M. Sandu stressed.
Maskva kelia pavojų žmonėms visoje Europoje ir turi būti sustabdyta, pabrėžė M. Sandu.
Read the original in Lithuanian Popular Lithuanian daily, the old Lietuvos rytas.
LIVE BLOG | Russia attacks Kyiv's bridges for the fourth day in a row
OTSEBLOGI | Venemaa ründab neljandat päeva järjest Kiievi sildu
A live blog on Russia's fourth straight day of strikes on Kyiv's bridges and on other attacks across Ukraine, alongside Ukrainian strikes in Russia. It relays Zelensky's description of Russians as "terrorists" and "barbaric", and covers Merz's Kyiv visit and aid pledge.
The Russian terrorists simply wanted to attack the Academy of Sciences and destroy it. It was an utterly horrific attack.
Vene terroristid tahtsid lihtsalt Teaduste Akadeemiat rünnata ja hävitada. See oli täiesti kohutav rünnak.
despite the air raid alert and our utterly barbaric neighbours, the Russians, who have been attacking the city since early morning
hoolimata õhuhäirest ja meie täiesti barbaarsetest naabritest – venelastest, kes on linna juba varahommikust saadik rünnanud
If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us.
Kui Venemaad ei peatata, pöördub varem või hiljem selle sõjamasin meie vastu.
Read the original in Estonian Estonia's biggest tabloid.
Russia attacks Kyiv's bridges for the fourth day in a row
Krievija ceturto dienu pēc kārtas uzbrūk Kijivas tiltiem
Delfi reports in a factual news style on Russia's fourth consecutive day of strikes on Kyiv's bridges, which have caused serious disruption, alongside Merz's unannounced visit and Russia's announcement of intensified strikes.
Both bridges are still usable, but the damage and traffic restrictions have caused serious disruption in the capital.
Abi tilti joprojām ir izmantojami, taču bojājumi un satiksmes ierobežojumi radījuši nopietnus traucējumus galvaspilsētā.
Merz reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine and noted that the outcome of the war also affects Germany's security.
Mercs atkārtoti apliecināja Vācijas atbalstu Ukrainai un norādīja, ka kara iznākums ietekmē arī Vācijas drošību.
Read the original in Latvian Latvia's most-read news portal.
LIVE BLOG | Zelensky: Ukraine will get its own long-range ballistic missile this autumn
OTSEBLOGI | Zelenskõi: Ukraina saab sel sügisel oma pikamaa ballistilise raketi
A live blog on the Russian drone and bomb campaign against Kyiv's bridges and other Ukrainian cities, with Zelensky's statements, Merz's visit to Kyiv with €1bn in military aid, and Zelensky's promise of a domestic FP-9 long-range ballistic missile. The outlet is largely sympathetic to Ukraine, relaying Ukrainian accounts and labels, and also reports Russian claims of Ukrainian strikes.
The Russian terrorists simply wanted to attack and destroy the Academy of Sciences. It was an absolutely horrific attack.
Vene terroristid tahtsid lihtsalt Teaduste Akadeemiat rünnata ja hävitada. See oli täiesti kohutav rünnak.
If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us.
Kui Venemaad ei peatata, pöördub varem või hiljem selle sõjamasin meie vastu.
Merz is announcing €1 billion in military aid and €350 million in aid for repairing energy infrastructure
Merz teatab 1 miljardi euro suurusest sõjalisest abist ja 350 miljoni euro suurusest abist energiainfrastruktuuri parandamiseks
Read the original in Estonian Estonia's biggest tabloid.
Fire breaks out at military airfield in Adygea after Ukrainian drone attack
Pēc Ukrainas dronu uzbrukuma izcēlies ugunsgrēks militārajā lidlaukā Adigejā
Delfi reports, in neutral news-brief style, a fire at the Russian military airfield Khanskaya in Adygea after a Ukrainian drone attack, alongside Ukrainian Air Force figures on a Russian overnight attack of 135 drones and missiles.
Read the original in Latvian Latvia's most-read news portal.
V. Zelensky announces successful operation "Vivaldi": liberated 125–140 sq. km of territory
V. Zelenskis skelbia apie sėkmingą operaciją „Vivaldi“: išlaisvino 125–140 kv. kilometrų teritorijos
Reports Zelensky's claim, via Reuters and Ukrinform, that Ukrainian forces liberated 125–140 sq. km in operation "Vivaldi", with the Third Army Corps retaking several settlements. Presented as a Ukrainian success.
Ukrainian forces liberated 125–140 square kilometres of territory during operation "Vivaldi"
Ukrainos pajėgos per operaciją „Vivaldi“ išlaisvino 125–140 kv. kilometrų teritorijos
Read the original in Lithuanian Popular Lithuanian daily, the old Lietuvos rytas.
Kyiv already has a plan in case Russia destroys the bridges
Kyjivas jau turi planą, jeigu Rusija sugriautų tiltus
Short report relaying Kyiv Mayor Klitschko's statement that intensified Russian strikes have put the capital in a "very dramatic situation", damaging key infrastructure and causing traffic chaos. The headline mentions a Kyiv contingency plan in case Russia destroys the bridges, but the text supplied does not elaborate on it.
The capital has ended up in a very dramatic situation. We can no longer pretend that we can now live the way we live in peacetime.
Sostinė atsidūrė labai dramatiškoje padėtyje. Nebegalima apsimesti, kad dabar galime gyventi taip, kaip gyvename taikos metu
The enemy is tearing Kyiv apart.
Priešas drasko Kyjivą
Read the original in Lithuanian Popular Lithuanian daily, the old Lietuvos rytas.
In Russia, a car blew up in a courtyard: tormentor of Ukrainian soldiers blown up
Rusijoje namo kieme į orą išlėkė automobilis: susprogdintas Ukrainos karių kankintojas
Reports the car bombing in Russia of R. Syromiatnikov, a former prison employee and soldier accused by Ukraine of torturing at least 50 Ukrainian POWs, framing him as a "tormentor" and placing the blast in a series of attacks on "Russian war criminals". Rewritten from UNIAN.
In Russia, a car blew up in a courtyard: tormentor of Ukrainian soldiers blown up
Rusijoje namo kieme į orą išlėkė automobilis: susprogdintas Ukrainos karių kankintojas
Attacks on Russian war criminals
Pasikėsinimai į Rusijos karo nusikaltėlius
Ukrainian law enforcement believe R. Syromiatnikov may have been involved in the torture of at least 50 Ukrainian prisoners.
Ukrainos teisėsaugininkai mano, kad R. Syromiatnikovas galėjo būti susijęs su mažiausiai 50 ukrainiečių belaisvių kankinimu.
Read the original in Lithuanian Popular Lithuanian daily, the old Lietuvos rytas.
Prestigious NYT: Russian strikes threaten Kyiv with a logistics nightmare
Prestižinis NYT: dėl Rusijos smūgių Kyjivui gresia logistikos košmaras
Relaying the NYT via UNIAN, the piece says Russia's repeated strikes on Kyiv's bridges have shut or restricted five of six road bridges, and that the strikes are part of a wider campaign to wreck Ukraine's economy and break civilian morale. It describes Ukraine as more vulnerable than ever because of air-defence shortages.
"The enemy is destroying Kyiv. We can no longer pretend that we can live the way we lived in peacetime."
„Priešas naikina Kyjivą. Nebegalima apsimesti, kad galime gyventi taip, kaip gyvenome taikos metu“
a critical shortage of air defence systems and Moscow's ever-growing arsenal of weapons make the country more vulnerable today than ever before
kritinis oro gynybos priemonių trūkumas ir vis didėjantis Maskvos ginkluotės arsenalas šiandien daro šalį pažeidžiamesnę nei bet kada anksčiau
That would turn into a logistical nightmare for Kyiv and the whole country.
Tai Kyjivui ir visai šaliai virstų logistiniu košmaru.
Read the original in Lithuanian Popular Lithuanian daily, the old Lietuvos rytas.
LIVE BLOG | Russian forces attacked yet another bridge in Kyiv
OTSEBLOGI | Vene väed ründasid Kiievis järjekordset silda
Live blog of the 1,683rd day of the war, framing Russia as terrorising Ukrainian civilians and detailing strikes on Kyiv bridges, Kharkiv and Odesa, alongside Ukrainian missile progress and Russian-claimed casualties in Belgorod.
Russia continues to terrorise Ukrainian civilians.
Venemaa jätkab Ukraina tsiviilelanike terroriseerimist.
"I told them: where is my FP-9?" Zelensky said with a smile, according to Reuters.
„Ma ütlesin neile: kus on minu FP-9?“ ütles Zelenskõi Reutersi teatel muigega.
Read the original in Estonian Estonia's biggest tabloid.
LIVE BLOG | Russia warns foreign diplomats in Kyiv of "mortal danger"
OTSEBLOGI | Venemaa hoiatab Kiievis viibivaid välisdiplomaate surmaohu eest
A live blog on day 1,683 of the war, framing Russia as the aggressor terrorising Ukrainian civilians. It covers a Russian warning to diplomats in Kyiv, attacks on Kharkiv, Odesa and Kyiv bridges, Ukraine's FP-7/FP-9 missiles and Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia.
Russia continues to terrorise Ukraine's civilian population.
Venemaa jätkab Ukraina tsiviilelanike terroriseerimist.
It is day 1,683 of the full-scale war launched by Russia in Ukraine.
Ukrainas on käimas Venemaa algatatud täiemahulise sõja 1683. päev.
"I told them: where is my FP-9?" Zelensky said with a smile, according to Reuters.
„Ma ütlesin neile: kus on minu FP-9?“ ütles Zelenskõi Reutersi teatel muigega.
Read the original in Estonian Estonia's biggest tabloid.
Video: Russian drone hits Northern Bridge in Kyiv
Video: Krievijas drons trāpījis Ziemeļu tiltam Kijivā
Delfi reports a Russian jet-powered drone strike on Kyiv's Northern Bridge, following repeated attacks on the Southern Bridge, and adds Ukrainian General Staff figures on Russian losses and the overnight drone barrage.
This is not the first strike on Kyiv's bridges in recent days.
Šis nav pirmais trieciens Kijivas tiltiem pēdējo dienu laikā.
At least five drones hit the bridge within a day and a half.
Pusotras diennakts laikā tiltam trāpīja vismaz pieci bezpilota lidaparāti.
According to General Staff data, 1,560 invaders were killed or wounded over the past day.
Saskaņā ar ģenerālštāba datiem diennakts laikā likvidēti vai ievainoti 1560 iebrucēji.
Read the original in Latvian Latvia's most-read news portal.
WAR ROUNDUP | Row over North Korean soldiers
SÕJAKOKKUVÕTE | Tüli Põhja-Korea sõdurite pärast
Õhtuleht reports that South Korea's president demands a public apology from Ukraine over the disclosed handover of two captured North Korean soldiers, which Seoul says endangers their relatives. It also notes Ukrainian strikes that started fires at Russian oil facilities.
According to South Korea, Ukraine had asked that their handover be kept secret.
Lõuna-Korea väitel oli Ukraina palunud nende üleandmist saladuses hoida.
In the night to Friday, Ukrainian forces hit an oil refinery in Volgograd and an oil pumping station in Russia's Samara region.
Ukraina väed tabasid ööl vastu reedet Venemaal Volgogradi naftatöötlemistehast ja Samara oblastis asuvat naftajaama.
Read the original in Estonian Estonia's biggest tabloid.
Putin has lifted all restrictions on strikes against Ukraine, Zelensky reveals
Putins atcēlis visus ierobežojumus triecieniem pa Ukrainu, atklāj Zelenskis
Delfi relays Zelensky's claim to the Financial Times that Putin has lifted all limits on strikes against Ukraine, with Russia hitting schools, hospitals and data centres and planning a winter campaign against energy infrastructure. The outlet presents Russia as the aggressor and Putin as a dictator.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has ordered the military leadership to abandon observance of the rules of warfare
Krievijas diktators Vladimirs Putins uzdevis militārajai vadībai atteikties no kara vešanas noteikumu ievērošanas
However, videos published on social media, whose authenticity the Financial Times has confirmed, show that strikes are also being carried out on civilian facilities.
Tomēr sociālajos tīklos publicētie videoieraksti, kuru autentiskumu apstiprinājis “Financial Times”, liecina, ka triecieni tiek veikti arī pa civilajiem objektiem.
Russia intends to shut down the three nuclear power plants operating in Ukraine, destroy up to 15 GW of energy capacity and leave big cities without electricity, heating and water
Krievija iecerējusi apturēt trīs Ukrainā darbojošās atomelektrostacijas, iznīcināt līdz 15 GW enerģētiskās jaudas un atstāt lielās pilsētas bez elektrības, apkures un ūdens
Read the original in Latvian Latvia's most-read news portal.
"First combat mission": Zelensky announces use of Ukrainian ballistic missile
"Pirmā kaujas misija": Zelenskis paziņo par Ukrainas ballistiskās raķetes pielietošanu
Delfi reports Zelensky's announcement of the first combat use of Ukraine's Fire Point ballistic missile, alongside Ukrainian drone strikes on Volgograd industrial sites and Russian strikes closing three Kyiv bridges. The tone is matter-of-fact, with a note on Fire Point's delays and its links to Zelensky's circle.
The company, which is linked to Zelensky's closest circles, announced a few days ago that the missile would be used for the first time later this year.
Šī kompānija, kas saistīta ar Zelenskim tuvākajām aprindām, pirms dažām dienām paziņoja, ka šī raķete pirmoreiz tiks izmantota vēlāk šajā gadā.
By developing its own ballistic missile, Kyiv aims to achieve parity with Moscow in military capability.
Izstrādājot savu ballistisko raķeti, Kijivai ir mērķis panākt paritāti ar Maskavu militāro spēju ziņā.
Read the original in Latvian Latvia's most-read news portal.
Drone hits Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv
Drons trāpījis Kodolpētījumu institūtam Kijivā
Delfi reports a Russian drone strike on the grounds of Kyiv's Institute for Nuclear Research, with no reactor damage, casualties or radiation change, and relays Ukrainian scientists' condemnation of it as a cynical war crime.
it is yet another cynical display by Russia of contempt for internationally recognised principles and norms of nuclear and radiation safety, as well as a war crime, the scientists stress
tas ir vēl viens cinisks Krievijas izrādītais nicinājums starptautiski atzītajiem kodoldrošības un radiācijas drošības principiem un normām, kā arī kara noziegums, uzsver zinātnieki
In Kyiv on Wednesday a Russian drone struck the territory of the Institute for Nuclear Research, where a research nuclear reactor is located
Kijivā trešdien krievu drons trāpījis Kodolpētījumu institūta teritorijā, kur atrodas pētniecības kodolreaktors
Read the original in Latvian Latvia's most-read news portal.
Read 300 headlines from 3 outlets over the last 14 days, kept 18, translated 18. Updated 5 Oct 2026.