Vovan and Lexus Strike Again with a Phone Hoax
Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gerasimov, was duped in a telephone hoax orchestrated by the notorious Russian pranksters Vovan (Vladimir Kuznetsov) and Lexus (Alexei Stolyarov), who posed as Albania’s foreign minister. The released recording, lasting roughly 18 minutes, covers discussions on Moldova’s EU integration, the potential reintegration of Transnistria, and the observance of Victory Day. Gerasimov confirmed the recording’s authenticity but stated it contained fragments taken out of context.
During the call, Gerasimov emphasized that she saw no concrete steps from the European Union to advance Moldova’s membership bid. Following the recent European Political Community summit, she reported receiving no positive signals regarding the negotiation process. She also noted that Germany had not provided clear information on the next phases of EU integration. Moldova’s President, Maia Sandu, has expressed concern over the pace of the country’s rapprochement with the EU, stressing the need for decisive action in this direction.
Disinformation and Its Fallout
In a Facebook statement, Gerasimov said that Russian disinformation efforts intensify as Moldova progresses on its European path. She stated:
“The more actively Moldova advances along the European path, the stronger the disinformation attempts from Russia become, aimed at undermining this process. In the case of the published material, it concerns fragments taken out of context from an ordinary conversation, similar to many phone calls I have with European diplomats and partners. From a longer conversation, they selected, shortened, and presented only certain fragments to create false interpretations and damage the image of the Republic of Moldova.”
Notably, the pranksters Vovan and Lexus have a history of similar stunts. They have previously targeted high-profile figures such as:
- Maia Sandu
- Veronica Dragan
- Nicolae Timofti
The duo recently gained notoriety for hoaxing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who fell victim to a similar ruse.
This incident underscores the critical need for cautious communication among senior officials when engaging with foreign counterparts, particularly on sensitive international topics. As Moldova pushes to accelerate its EU integration efforts, such episodes risk damaging its reputation and diplomatic ties. Gerasimov stressed that disinformation is a deliberate attempt to hinder Moldova’s alignment with the European Union, highlighting the urgency of bolstering information security and communication strategies for public officials.
The ongoing tension between Moldova and Russia is further exemplified by recent events surrounding the European integration efforts. As highlighted in a related incident, a mobile internet blackout occurred during Putin's visit to the St. Petersburg Forum, raising concerns about the implications of such actions on international relations and regional stability. This context underscores the challenges Moldova faces as it navigates its path towards the EU amidst increasing disinformation campaigns.