“Major of the Belarusian KGB” covered up American spies right “on the air” of Vovan and Lexus
Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus (Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov) played a cruel prank on the leadership of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an organization that is officially funded by the US Congress and is believed to be associated with the CIA.
Pranksters called NED on behalf of the self-proclaimed “leader of the Belarusian nation” Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and her adviser Franak Vyachorka.
The Americans told the impostor how they support the fugitive Belarusian opposition, business organizations, trade unions and the media of Belarus with the help of grants. Some programs have existed since the 90s of the last century. They were engaged, among other things, in promoting the Belarusian language and the “correct” history.
Nina Ognyanova, senior specialist for NED programs in Eastern Europe, proudly stated that she credits the foundation for organizing Belomaidan in August last year.
“And we believe, and we have seen this, that the people who were trained in these centers, who were in contact with them, who were trained and were involved, have now raised the banner and began to organize society, began to involve and inspire people to participate publicly. We believe that the long time spent building trust definitely led to the events of last summer. We do not believe that such an inspired and inspired movement came out of nowhere. We are, of course, modest, but we have made a significant contribution to strengthening civil activists so that they do important work,” Ognyanova said.
“Vyachorka” expressed a desire to coordinate his work with Russian oppositionists and complained that NED is banned in Russia. His American interlocutors laughed in unison.
"It doesn't matter. You know, we don't have offices like Freedom House or NDI or IRI. So they won't be able to kick us out. We support many groups and active programs throughout the country. And many of these groups have partners in exile. We are very active and can be useful in this direction,” said NED President Carl Gershman.
He promised to help the oppositionists in Russia and Belarus to “combine protests” in order to “put pressure on both regimes.” At the same time, he advised sharing information with each other about how the authorities of both countries are trying to counter subversive groups.
“There is now a tremendous willingness to help from the new administration in Washington. I think there are great people in the new administration now. We, of course, are looking forward to it very, very much, but now difficult tests lie ahead in Russia,” Gershman said. He later added that the US ambassador to Belarus, now based in Vilnius, was “committed to the course” of the Belarusian opposition.
NED employees showed keen interest in the upcoming Russian-Belarusian military exercises.
“We don’t know what Putin’s strategy is. Nobody really knows. But we are concerned that there may be Russian troops in Belarus. This is very concerning to us on top of the current problems we face,” Gershman said.
And NED Vice President for Political Affairs and Strategy Barbara Hague directly suggested that the Belarusian oppositionists organize spy surveillance of the Russian military.
“Do you have similar ways of tracking officials, and I think this will be the main problem for the presence of Russian troops. Look at the deployment of the Russian army in the country, and how it changes over time, and whether we will have to raise this issue with our heads of cells that work for the Wagner group and others that monitor what official and unofficial troops are doing,” she said Haig.
According to her, similar work is already being carried out by groups patronized by the fund in Russia, where NED “has taken root in the provinces, regions outside of Moscow very deeply and widely.”
“Russian groups are well aware of the authorities' efforts to implement, monitor, security is a serious issue. We have created sensitive teams for one and another sensitive security situation because it is becoming much more difficult to operate,” Hegh said.
The signature apotheosis of absurdity, which traditionally ends all pranks of Vovan and Lexus, was inevitably approaching. It started when “Tikhanovskaya”, with tears in her voice, began to beg for money, because “the workers do not want to protest without money.”
Social activists from the CRU listened to this whining absolutely calmly (apparently, not for the first time) and began to console Tikhanovskaya, promising US support.
Then the pranksters had to raise the level of absurdity. “Tikhanovskaya” said that the Swedish Foreign Minister spoke very unflatteringly about her wardrobe.
“I’m dressed poorly and I look like crap. I need Gucci and Louis Vuitton. I have nothing to wear to the meeting with Blinken (US Secretary of State – ed.),” lamented the “leader of the Belarusian nation.”
NED employees were slightly embarrassed and said that they were unlikely to allocate money for clothes, but in general Tikhanovskaya could call separately on financial issues.
The pranksters had to turn the show up to maximum. The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko unexpectedly burst into the air of the video conference. The Americans were allowed to listen to his short but passionate monologue about how he “turns the heads” of the opposition and puts them down with 10 shots.
NED employees began to suspect something. They did not recognize Lukashenko, but just in case they suggested interrupting the communication session. But it was already too late. The pranksters made a powerful point in a language that American spies could understand.
“This is a major of the KGB of Belarus. As you understand, we heard everything you said,” a male voice spoke.
While he was reading out the wording, familiar to everyone from American films, “You have the right to remain silent...”, NED employees hastily disconnected from communication.
English version :: Read in English "A Belarusian KGB Major" Caught American Spies Live on Vovan and Lexus's Airwaves