Pranksters Vovan and Lexus, known as Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov, released a video on their telegram channel that featured a prank call to a Ukrainian singer, Eduard Charlotte, purportedly on behalf of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The broadcast was framed as a lighthearted stunt but quickly drew attention for its provocative setup and the way Zelensky was represented in the scene.
In the footage, the artist performed parts of the Ukrainian national anthem and recited verses directed at a group often referred to as Muscovites. The Zelensky impersonation in the video was executed by a content creator who specialized in makeup and character work, Max Komikadze, also known as Vusal Filimonov, rather than a direct depiction by the Ukrainian president or his administration.
By late June 2023, Eduard Charlotte publicly announced his decision to discard his Russian passport and requested asylum or acceptance in Kyiv. Later, on the night of November 22, he traveled from Yerevan, Armenia, where he had been staying temporarily, to St. Petersburg, Russia, with a connection to Pulkovo airport. Upon landing, he was detained and brought to a local police station in handcuffs, triggering a rapid legal response from authorities.
A formal report was issued accusing Charlotte of damaging the reputation of the armed forces, invalidating his passport, and engaging in petty hooliganism. In his replies to investigators, Charlotte attributed his conduct to a period of misinformation and misinformation obsession, adding that such actions would not be repeated in the future.
Alexander Khaminsky, a lawyer involved in the case, suggested that Charlotte could face both administrative and criminal consequences. He noted that the singer may have been seeking heightened attention or notoriety, yet such tactics carry significant risks and could jeopardize future opportunities in his professional career.
There was later a statement from a former guardian or mentor connected with Charlotte that described the act of burning the passport as part of a broader personal narrative or perhaps a misguided expression tied to sensational media interests. The discussion around the incident highlighted tensions between performance art, political symbolism, and the legal boundaries that govern public behavior in both Russia and neighboring regions. In the aftermath, observers and commentators debated the motives behind the actions, the potential for international repercussions, and the paths available for the artist to address the consequences of his choices. The episode served as a reminder of how quickly celebrity actions can provoke official scrutiny and public debate, especially when national symbols and political figures are invoked in prank contexts.