May 06, 2021

What a Dud


What a Dud
A Volkov in Deepfake clothing. Screenshot from Leonid Volkov's response to a Deepfake video using his persona YouTube Post by Русское вещание LTV7

On April 21 the Latvian television program Panorama broadcast a video of Leonid Volkov, the current head of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s headquarters, announcing that the prominent Russian journalist, blogger, and YouTube star Yuri Dud would soon be taking over his position.

The video, however, turned out to be a Deepfake.

On March 16, Latvian member of Parliament Rihards Kols received a letter in the mail allegedly posted by Volkov. This “Volkov” offered to speak with members of the foreign affairs committee of the Latvian Saeima regarding the situation of political prisoners in Russia. Latvian representatives agreed to the meeting, which proceeded on March 23.

Kols only became aware of the antics when Ukrainian members of parliament also reported meeting with the fake Volkov on social media. The pranksters are presumed to be the infamous pair Vovan and Lexus, a pro-Kremlin duo who have targeted other world leaders and prominent figures with silly scandals – like the time they posed as Vladimir Putin in a chat with Elton John.

It later emerged that the Volkov Deepfake had faked out Estonian and Lithuanian members of parliament, and even tomfooled Tom Tugendhat, head of the British parliament’s foreign affairs committee.

Tugendhat presumed that the pranksters targeted Navalny’s team because the Kremlin fears the strength of the current opposition movement in Russia.

As Volkov clinched it on Facebook after the scandal erupted: “Welcome to the Deepfake era.”

 

You Might Also Like

Snowmen Acquitted!
  • March 12, 2021

Snowmen Acquitted!

All charges against a group of snowmen, embroiled in a recent controversy, have been dropped.
Not a Snowball's Chance
  • February 05, 2021

Not a Snowball's Chance

One wouldn’t expect it to be an issue for a snowman to be left out in the cold, but in the village of Zachachye in Arkhangelsk Oblast, four such fellows were found wanting for warmth.
The Family Panties
  • January 18, 2021

The Family Panties

Quarantine might have gotten many of us used to hanging around in our underwear, but Russian film director Vitaliy Mansky took his to the streets of Moscow.
Smoking Underpants
  • December 22, 2020

Smoking Underpants

In an astonishingly brazen operation, opposition politician Alexey Navalny pulled the ultimate punk on FSB operative Konstantin Kudryavtsev, who allegedly tried to kill him.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955