The Russian pranksters who spoke with Thanos Dokos have once again flatly denied using artificial intelligence during their conversation with him. Speaking to Star TV, they responded once more to the Prime Minister’s National Security adviser, who had claimed that AI technology was used, noting that he had both seen and heard Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense adviser. Vovan and Lexus maintained that they used simple makeup and reached Thanos Dokos via email. They stated pointedly: “If he wants to convince you it was AI, I would simply encourage him to upload his own version of the call. It would be even funnier when people realize it wasn’t AI — it was just simple makeup and nothing else.” Meanwhile, through government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, the government is standing by Thanos Dokos, while officials say they are not convinced the individuals involved are actually pranksters.
Read more: Political clash over Russian pranksters: “The opposition chooses to believe them,” says Marinakis — PASOK report and police involvement at 3 a.m.
The Russian pranksters’ interview on Star TV
Journalist: Do you have a screenshot showing your side of the screen? So we can see how you disguised yourselves, what your makeup looked like?
Russian prankster: No, we don’t, because it was a simple prank. We didn’t pay that much attention to it. It was simple makeup that you can do at home.
Journalist: Who was speaking?
Russian prankster: Alexei.
Journalist: And what did you do? Did you change your voice?
Russian prankster: We have never changed our voices.
“Easy with Dokos”
“We have been pranking high-ranking politicians since 2014. There was AI 12 years ago. We’ve done it with President Macron, with Boris Johnson, with Prince Harry,” they emphasized.
Journalist: Was it that easy with all of them?
Russian pranksters: Not quite. Not as easy as it was with your national security adviser.
Journalist: How did you approach him?
Russian prankster: It’s funny, but we simply sent a plain email to his office. And they responded from primeminister.gr.
Journalist: Did you expect a response?
Russian prankster: At first they asked us, “Why do you want to talk? We met recently in Brussels — do you have something specific?” And we said, “Yes, let’s talk over a video call.” We weren’t actually expecting a reply from him.
“We are not KGB agents,” the Russian pranksters also stated, adding: “Why would you believe the person who received an email from a Gmail account and replied? Obviously it’s not convenient for him to confirm that he was fooled by two ordinary private citizens. We at least have video proof. They don’t.”
Marinakis: “I believe Thanos Dokos”
Pavlos Marinakis reiterated that he stands firmly behind Thanos Dokos, and, as he stated on Sunday, July 5, said he is not convinced that the individuals in question are actually pranksters. Speaking about the incident, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis made clear that he supports the Secretary General of National Security. “Between a person like Mr. Dokos and certain individuals who have specific self-interest, agendas, and motives — and, apparently, handlers as well — I will believe Mr. Dokos,” he replied.
