Russian Pranksters Fooled OpenAI Officials on Ukraine Call: What Happened
Russian pranksters posing as Ukraine's intelligence chief tricked three senior OpenAI officials into a 17-minute video call about military AI support for Kyiv.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Steve Jurvetson
WASHINGTON, Nov 11 — Russian pranksters posing as the head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service tricked three of OpenAI’s most senior national-security officials into a 17-minute video call about the company’s military work with Ukraine, OpenAI confirmed on Wednesday. The pranksters posted the recording online; their camera stayed off throughout the call.
The officials on the call were Sasha Baker, OpenAI’s national-security policy chief; Caroline Zier, its strategic initiatives lead; and Ben Crampton, who leads its European national-security work. They discussed military support for Ukraine, including possible offensive capabilities, contact with the Pentagon, early work with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, and Daybreak Blue, an AI model for fixing computer vulnerabilities.
- Vovan and Lexus posed as Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, to reach three senior OpenAI officials.
- The 17-minute call covered military support for Ukraine, including possible offensive capabilities and Pentagon contact.
- OpenAI investigated the call weeks ago, concluded it was a prank, and acted to prevent repeats.
- OpenAI holds a $200 million Department of War contract for AI applications aimed at warfighters.
How Did Russian Pranksters Trick OpenAI Officials Into the Ukraine Call?
The duo said they arranged the meeting by first contacting a senior Ukrainian official in San Francisco while posing as Umerov. Vladimir Kuznetsov, the prankster known as Vovan, said the approach was simple to arrange. Baker and Zier told the caller they had met Umerov before and were glad to be speaking with him again. The fake Umerov kept his camera off for the whole call, and the officials did not spot the deception.
The pranksters posted the recording on the video site Rumble. OpenAI’s recent results showed revenue growth alongside widening losses.
What Did OpenAI Officials Discuss on the Fake Ukraine Call?
The officials discussed how OpenAI’s technology could support Ukraine’s defence, including the possibility of providing offensive capabilities. They spoke about contact with the Pentagon over support for Kyiv and early work with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. Daybreak Blue, the AI model for fixing computer vulnerabilities, also came up on the call.
The discussion matters because OpenAI holds a $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of War to provide AI applications aimed at warfighters, intended to improve military advantage, utility, and decision-making.
OpenAI has not disclosed whether sensitive information was shared beyond what appears in the recording. The episode lands as AI security faces fresh scrutiny: a recent breach at AI firm Fireworks exposed customer data and model weights, and U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed in Abu Dhabi this week.
What Has OpenAI Said About the Prank Call and What Happens Next?
OpenAI spokesperson Nate Evans said the company launched a thorough investigation into the call’s authenticity weeks ago. “We acted internally and with the relevant authorities to conclude that it was a prank conducted by individuals with a history of targeting officials and other companies,” Evans said. “We took action to prevent similar situations from happening in the future.” OpenAI did not say what action it took.
| Date | Vovan and Lexus target |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Duo begins prank calls |
| 2022 | J.K. Rowling, posing as Volodymyr Zelensky |
| Sep 2023 | Giorgia Meloni, posing as African Union officials |
| Jun 2024 | David Cameron, posing as Petro Poroshenko |
| Jul 2026 | Thanos Dokos, posing as Rustem Umerov |
| Nov 2026 | Three OpenAI officials, posing as Rustem Umerov |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Vovan and Lexus, the Russian pranksters who fooled OpenAI?
Vovan and Lexus are Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, a Russian comedy duo impersonating world leaders and senior officials since 2011. Their targets have included prime ministers, foreign secretaries, and celebrities.
How did Russian pranksters get OpenAI officials on the call?
The duo posed as Rustem Umerov and first contacted a senior Ukrainian official in San Francisco. The three officials joined a 17-minute video call believing they were speaking with Umerov, who kept his camera off.
What is Daybreak Blue, the AI tool mentioned on the OpenAI call?
Daybreak Blue is an AI model for fixing computer vulnerabilities that officials mentioned while discussing work with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
What is OpenAI’s $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of War?
OpenAI holds a $200 million contract with the U.S. Department of War to provide AI applications aimed at warfighters, intended to improve military advantage, utility, and decision-making.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
