{"id":3793,"date":"2025-06-20T22:17:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T19:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/factcheck.lt\/?p=3793"},"modified":"2025-06-22T10:34:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T07:34:07","slug":"","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/factcheck.lt\/eng\/news\/nauseda_deepfake\/","title":{"rendered":"Fake image of the Lithuanian president was circulated on Telegram channels in the Grodno region","raw":"Fake image of the Lithuanian president was circulated on Telegram channels in the Grodno region"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Telegram channel “Grodnenskie slivy,” known for spreading toxic and manipulative posts, a fake image of Gitanas Naus\u0117da \u2014 President of the Republic of Lithuania \u2014 was published, allegedly showing him crying against the background of the Lithuanian flag and military equipment. The post<\/a> was accompanied by text ironizing over his statement regarding the Russian-Belarusian exercises “West-2025” and hinting at “phobias” and “swamp complexes.”
\n\"\"<\/span>
\nThis is an example of a disinformation attack using visual deepfake content and toxic rhetoric within the framework of FIMI.
\nVerification<\/strong><\/p>\n

The image is fake (deepfake)
\nAn emotionally charged collage was used: Naus\u0117da’s head was superimposed over another body with a “crying face” expression.
\nThe original does not exist in open official sources.
\nNo authoritative media, the Lithuanian president’s press service, or photo agencies (Getty, EPA, BNS) have published such an image.
\nQuotes taken out of context
\nNaus\u0117da spoke about the transparency of NATO exercises, mentioned that “there are no grounds for concern,” but noted the importance of coordination.
\nThe original words were taken from an interview and distorted in the headline and text.
\n\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Naus\u0117da held a regular meeting of the State Defense Council (SDC), which discussed security issues, the general security situation in the region, and the development of military infrastructure.
\nThe following was stated:<\/p>\n

Valstyb\u0117s vadovams buvo pristatyta i\u0161sami informacija apie mokymus \u201eZapad 2025″, konstatuota, kad n\u0117ra joki\u0173 indikacij\u0173, jog prisidengiant jais b\u016bt\u0173 planuojama bet kokio pob\u016bd\u017eio prie\u0161 Lietuv\u0105 ar kitas regiono valstybes nukreipta karin\u0117 operacija ar provokacija. Lietuvos ir u\u017esienio \u017evalgybos tarnybos atid\u017eiai stebi pad\u0117t\u012f ir vis\u0173 mokym\u0173 laikotarpiu \u2013 ruo\u0161iantis jiems, pa\u010di\u0173 mokym\u0173 metu ir po j\u0173 \u2013 skirs ypating\u0105 d\u0117mes\u012f su \u201eZapad 2025″ susijusiai Rusijos ir Baltarusijos institucij\u0173 veiklai
\nDeepl translation:
\nState leaders were presented with detailed information about the “West-2025” exercises, and it was established that there are no indications that any military operations or provocations against Lithuania or other regional states are being planned under their cover. Lithuanian and foreign intelligence services are closely monitoring the situation and throughout the entire period of the exercises \u2013 during their preparation, conduct, and after them \u2013 will pay special attention to the activities of Russian and Belarusian institutions related to “West-2025”.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Disinformation narratives and manipulations<\/strong><\/p>\n