‘Russia has recognised Narva in Estonia as a ‘people’s republic’’: this claim by Frederik Vansina, Chief of Staff of the Belgian Armed Forces, in an interview with Francophone daily Le Soir caused a stir at the Russian Embassy in Brussels. The claim is incorrect but has nevertheless taken on a life of its own after online trolls disseminated it. Meanwhile, the false claim is causing tensions in the real world, not least in the region concerned.