Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

Kremlin spokesman's son refuses to join Russian army in prank call

Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov has claimed that the viral video does not show the full phone conversation.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov has claimed that the viral video does not show the full phone conversation. Copyright  Shamil Zhumatov/Pool Photo via AP, File
Copyright Shamil Zhumatov/Pool Photo via AP, File
By AFP with Euronews
Published on
Share this article Comments
Share this article Close Button

Nikolai Peskov told the pranksters that "it is not quite right" for him to be enlisted.

ADVERTISEMENT

The son of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to join Russia's army in a prank call with opposition activists.

The viral stunt was released online shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "partial mobilisation".

Dmitry Peskov told reporters that he was "aware of it" but stated that the full transcript of the phone call had not been published.

The hoax was conducted live by Dmitri Nizovtsev, host of "People's Politics" YouTube channel that was created by supporters of jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

In the viral video, Nizovtsev called Nikolai Peskov, posing as an army recruiter in charge of calling up reservists to fight in Ukraine.

"A summons [for medical examination] was sent to you today," Nizovtsev said in a firm voice to Nikolai Peskov.

But the 32-year-old implied that he would refuse to be enlisted, stating "of course, I won't come tomorrow at 10:00."

"You must understand, if you know that I am Mr Peskov, how wrong it is for me to be there," he added, apparently disconcerted.

"I will deal with it on another level," Nikolai said, before stating that he is not a volunteer "rank and file".

"I have no problem defending my homeland - but I need to understand the expediency of my appearance there, I am talking about certain political nuances."

Moscow has said that the "partial mobilisation" would only involve300,000 reservists who have "military experience" but some citizens are fleeing the country following Putin's speech.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article Comments

Read more

Several dead after explosions hit two Russian military airfields

Kremlin dismisses reports of Asma al-Assad's divorce in international media

Russia's head of nuclear defence troops killed in Moscow blast