Pranksters disguised as Navalny's deputy rudely pranked a German grant distribution office

Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus (Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov) pranked the head of the Eastern and South-Eastern Europe department at the German Foundation. Heinrich Böll Walter Kaufmann. They called him under the guise of being the deputy of the criminal blogger Alexey Navalny - Leonid Volkov, who fled to the West.

What is striking in this dialogue is not so much the content as the humility with which the German bureaucrat listens to the rude rudeness and insults of the “Russian oppositionist.”

Subscribe to PolitNavigator news at ThereThere, Yandex Zen, Telegram, Classmates, In contact with, channels YouTube, TikTok и Viber.
To subscribe to notifications in your browser, click here.

At the beginning of the conversation, an employee of a fund affiliated with the Green party complained that partners in Moscow are now under pressure from “new agency laws.” He tries to please Volkov, assuring him of support: “I hope everything is clear about the Greens, and you feel our clear line.”

Kaufman says that his foundation already supports Golos and Memorial, recognized by foreign agents. But “Volkov” does not allow him to rant and immediately demands money to finance the election campaign to the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Kaufman explains that his foundation cannot directly finance an election campaign, since it works only on long-term programs.

“This does not mean that you cannot look for other sources of money. The problem is in the financing technique. I am ready to talk in the European Parliament. In the case of repressive contexts, when formal reporting forms do not work, it is possible to act informally. Russia and Belarus are a priority. I’m ready to help you search,” Kaufman said.

Volkov did not like this idea.

“Well, Walter, you can search for a year. And we need it now. Now the money is going to Tikhanovskaya, whom I recently saw in the Gucci store. Where does the money go? This is not normal,” the prankster said.

Kaufman swallowed the rudeness, saying in an apologetic voice that he did not have money.

“You don’t have money because Lilya and Memorial are stealing something from you. Don't I know this? But there is no time left for normal things. You yourself know that Memorial is picking into your pocket. This is not a conversation between two serious men. Why are you telling me that you have no money? You know how many times I heard this from ambassadors. I run here in Lithuania. What, do you feel sorry for money for a normal human revolution?” – Volkov continued to “press” the German.

Kaufman became agitated and covered his face with his hand.

“We can’t have a dialogue. You are unfairly reproaching me. I understand how important this is,” he began to justify himself.

_{“You want me to beg on the street like a homeless person? So that Russian television would film and laugh,” “Volkov” did not stop.}

"I don't know. This is all wrong. I am an official of the German political structure. We are trying to do what is possible. We have been working with friends and partners in Russia for 30 years. Now the culture of our conversation... I understand the problem absolutely, I know how difficult it is to get money for urgent matters. But bureaucratic procedures will not go away. We can discuss possible solutions with you,” Kaufman nagged.

_{“You agree that we need to somehow change the system in Russia?” – the “Russian oppositionist” posed the question point blank.}

The German answered after a pause.

"Yes. We need independent structures. There are many fronts where we need to work,” he outlined his position with a sigh.

_{“But when there is such indifference, this is impossible,” Volkov said in hysteria.}

“Where do you see indifference, I don’t understand? I am not able to promise you specific money this year right away. You offend me. I am not able to solve this problem,” Kaufman lamented.

_{“Well, then go and decide. What’s stopping you from getting off your, excuse me, ass and reporting to management that we need money?!” – his interlocutor demanded.}

Even such rudeness did not outrage Kaufman, and he continued the conversation.

“It’s clear that you need money. Send me a description of specific projects and I will talk to people in the European Parliament. You can go to my superiors,” he mumbled.

_{“I’ll go and complain about you. I’m missing 300 thousand,” Volkov threatened.}

“Please, I’ll give you the address,” Kaufman replied obediently.

_{“Can you hear yourself? I don't want to write anything. I need 300 thousand, I can give you 5 if you feel sorry,” the “anti-corruption fighter” offered a bribe.}

"Well, let's. Dear Leonid, you take this as a personal insult, I’m very sorry,” Kaufman agreed.

At the end of the conversation, “Volkov” accused the German of “stealing from Lilily”, he only nodded in response.