Comedians close to the Kremlin used a fake phone call to get explosive statements about Crimea and the warfare from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. “If you ask me who blows something up in Crimea or in Belgorod, I’ll tell you privately, yes we were,” Kuleba said in the appeal, which was widely reported in Russian media on Friday.
The Russian caller posed as ex-US ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul. In Russia, Ukraine is blamed for the explosion at the Crimean Bridge. Kiev has not officially recognized this. In Moscow, however, Kuleba’s statement should also be seen as an admission of guilt for the damage to the bridge.
At the same time, Kuleba also said the counter-offensive in southern Ukraine was conducted in close cooperation with the United States. Russia accuses NATO of being a war party in Ukraine.
Michael Ludwig was also the victim of a prank call
The fake call was organized by the same comical couple who earlier this summer led several mayors in EU capitals to believe they were talking to Kiev mayor Vitaly Klitschko. The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), was one of the victims of the prank. During a video call with Ludwig, the caller posed as the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko.
Alexei Stolyarov and Vladimir Kuznetsov aka “Vovan and Lexus” have been known in Russia for years for deceiving politicians and other international celebrities with fake phone calls. Some time ago, according to ARD information, they admitted in a “Contrasts” interview that they were working for an internet platform owned by the Russian state-owned company Gazprom.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
