Energy Secretary Rick Perry was reportedly the target of Russian pranksters who convinced him he was speaking with officials on behalf of Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladimir Groisman.
The 20-minute conversation focused on the cooperation between Kiev and Washington on energy issues, cybersecurity, and the nation’s efforts to “develop” a new biofuel.
Russian pranksters, Vladimir Kuznetsov (“Vovan”) and Alexei Stolyarov (“Lexus”) sparked Perry’s interest in a new biofuel that they said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko invented himself. According to Pravada Report, the pranksters told Perry the fuel was made from a mixture of home-brewed alcohol and pig manure.
In response, Perry sought more detailed information about the “scientific development.”
The pair has a history of pranking U.S. lawmakers. In February, they pranked Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to talk to them about anti-Russian sanctions. They also recently pranked Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., causing her to express worry over Russia’s “offensive on Korea.”
In 2015, the pair famously pranked Elton John claiming to be Vladimir Putin shortly after the singer criticized his stance on LGBT rights.
“Secretary Perry is the latest target of two Russian pranksters,” Energy Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said in an email to the Washington Post. “These individuals are known for pranking high-level officials and celebrities, particularly those who are supportive of an agenda that is not in line with their governments. In this case, the energy security of Ukraine.”
