Frames of Eastern Europe and security threats in Lithuania.

This article examines how the sociology of war should expand its focus beyond conventional warfare to include the meta-frames of (dis)information warfare, using the framing of Eastern Europe as a case study. It analyzes Russian state narratives—such as the "Russian World," "Pan-Slavism," and "Near Abroad"—which serve as ideological tools to justify Russia's geopolitical ambitions and military actions, particularly in Ukraine. Concurrently, Western framings of Eastern Europe perpetuate Cold War-era divisions, inadvertently reinforcing Russia's claims. The article highlights Lithuania's response to Russia's war in Ukraine, illustrating how national security policies, civil defense mobilization, and solidarity with Ukrainian refugees challenge these frames and demonstrate societal resilience amid hybrid warfare. Overall, it underscores the importance of understanding framing and information warfare within contemporary security studies and the sociology of war.