On April 23, 2025, Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus posted recordings to their Telegram channel in which they talked with Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili; the former Public Defender of Georgia, Ucha Nanuashvili; and U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, while pretending to be Russian chess player Garry Kasparov, and Ukraine’s fifth president, Petro Poroshenko. Georgian pro-government media outlets, along with other pro-Russian actors, manipulatively covered the recordings, suggesting that Zourabichvili admitted that foreign funding was supporting the opposition and radical protests, while Nanuashvili allegedly confirmed that armed groups were present at the protests. In reality, Zourabichvili only spoke about the need to support the nongovernmental sector, regional media, and trade unions, while Nanuashvili’s mention of “masked armed men” referred to the so-called “titushkas” – opponents of the protests who were involved in numerous violent incidents the previous year.
The conversations with Zourabichvili, Nanuashvili, and Wilson, aired on April 23 on Russia’s state TV Channel One in a show hosted by Vovan and Lexus, were analyzed by guests, including the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Dmitry Novikov; the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Aleksey Zhuravlev; Russian political analyst Karine Gevorgyan; and the international secretary of the pro-Russian “Solidarity for Peace” party, Mamuka Pipia.
As Pipia stated in an interview with the Asaval-Dasavali paper, the idea to prank Zourabichvili was his. According to him, the prank was planned at the beginning of 2024, during a period when, “encouraged by the West,” Zourabichvili was allegedly trying to incite a wave of protests and was refusing to leave the presidential palace. Pipia said his goal was to “expose the self-proclaimed president” through the prank. To this end, he contacted the Russian pranksters and proposed they pose as Garry Kasparov to propose Zourabichvili a “tempting offer.” Based on the resulting recordings, on April 25, the “Solidarity for Peace” party submitted a complaint to the Prosecutor’s Office against Zourabichvili and Nanuashvili.
It is noteworthy that the information about Zourabichvili and Nanuashvili being “trapped” by the prank was first disseminated by Paata Abuladze, husband of Tamuna Kaladze, who is the half-sister of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze. In a video published on April 15, Abuladze claimed that the “mastermind, director, and producer” of the operation was his family relative, Mamuka Pipia. In addition to being a frequent guest on “Solidarity for Peace” broadcasts, Abuladze, along with Pipia, took part in a conference organized by the “International Club for People’s Unity” in Moscow on March 25, 2025. Speakers at the conference included former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov and Russian State Duma deputies Andrey Gurulyov, Yana Lantratova, and Denis Maydanov. Also participating were former CIA analyst Larry Johnson and former UN employee Scott Ritter, both of whom have become Kremlin propagandists in recent years.
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What Kind of Street Survey Was Conducted in Tbilisi for the “Vovan and Lexus Show”?
In a heavily edited and Russian-dubbed video recording, the pranksters discussed with Zourabichvili the ongoing protests in Tbilisi, the role of trade unions, U.S. foreign policy, and the issue of Abkhazia. The broadcast also included a street survey conducted in Tbilisi [at 39:53], where local residents were asked what they thought of Salome Zourabichvili, who, according to the interviewers, still refers to herself as president. In a second survey [at 46:16], Tbilisi residents were asked their opinions about Russia. In the first survey, respondents claimed that the West, specifically Washington and Brussels, had tried to portray Zourabichvili as the leader of the radical opposition in Georgia, but that this project failed after the Trump administration came to power. They said Western handlers were still trying to make use of Zourabichvili, but without success, and that although she still calls herself president, “any normal Georgian views her negatively,” and so on. After the survey, the show’s host, Vovan, mockingly asks where the opposition-minded people are, to which his co-host, Lexus, replies that “they only wake up in the evening” because they do not get paid to protest during the day.
In reality, for the “Vovan and Lexus Show,” the correspondent did not survey randomly selected Tbilisi residents but instead interviewed individuals affiliated with the pro-Russian party “Solidarity for Peace.” These respondents are known for their positive attitudes toward Russia and their support for the normalization of Russia-Georgia diplomatic relations. This is precisely why Vovan and Lexus failed to “find” opposition-minded citizens among local residents.
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Who Was Interviewed on the Streets of Tbilisi for the “Vovan and Lexus Show” Instead of Ordinary Passersby?
Vasil Kapanadze, Giorgi Gvasalia, Tamar Kiknadze, Giorgi Iremadze, Davit Osepashvili, Nuka Arveladze, and Ilia Lobzhanidze were the individuals portrayed as randomly selected citizens interviewed on the streets of Tbilisi in the “Vovan and Lexus Show.” In reality, not only are they closely affiliated with the pro-Russian party “Solidarity for Peace,” but they also hold political positions within the party. For example, Tamar Kiknadze and Giorgi Iremadze are members of the party’s political council, while Ilia Lobzhanidze is a host of one of the party’s broadcasts. The remaining respondents – Vasil Kapanadze, Giorgi Gvasalia, Davit Osepashvili, and Nuka Arveladze – regularly appear on “Solidarity for Peace” programs. These individuals are known for their Eurosceptic and anti-Western messaging, and their public activities consistently align with Kremlin interests, including the repetition of disinformation narratives and the promotion of anti-Western sentiment.
- Vasil Kapanadze
In 2019, Vasil Kapanadze hosted a Russian-language show called “Неделя” (“The Week”) on the media outlet “Obiektivi TV.” On January 9, 2020, following a complaint from the Media Development Foundation, Georgia’s National Communications Commission warned the broadcaster for airing content in a non-official language and required that the Russian-language programs such as “Night Studio” and “Неделя” be immediately removed from the programming schedule. After this decision, on January 21 at 10:30 PM, “Неделя” was again broadcast in Russian on Obiektivi TV without Georgian subtitles or translation, in its original format.
In 2022, Kapanadze attended a forum in Moscow titled “Russia–Georgia Relations: Prospects for Development” along with representatives from “Solidarity for Peace.” He is a frequent guest on the shows of the political party and openly expresses Eurosceptic views. According to him, society must decide whether it wants to join an organization (the EU) where its choices are not respected. Kapanadze also promotes the narrative that the West does not help Georgia maintain its territorial integrity and instead seeks to provoke the country into conflict with Russia.
- Giorgi Gvasalia
Giorgi Gvasalia was one of the respondents featured in the “Vovan and Lexus” show, where he was presented as a local resident. In reality, he is a frequent guest on “Solidarity for Peace” broadcasts, where he is introduced as a lawyer.
Gvasalia used to spread the myth surrounding the Treaty of Kars, claiming that the agreement signed between Turkey and the Transcaucasian republics was set to expire in 2021, after which the deal stated in the treaty would be called into question. In fact, the Treaty of Kars is indefinite and is not limited by a specific timeframe.
Gvasalia also often expresses sympathy toward Bidzina Ivanishvili and his political team. He claims that although Ivanishvili has been in power for 12 years, Georgians are not tired of him because for more than 30 years members of the United National Movement have been in politics, thanks to whom the country has been living “with a narrative of lunatics.” On the “Vovan and Lexus” show, Gvasalia stated, “I adore Russian culture, I love Russian culture, I love the entire so-called Russian world.”
- Tamar Kiknadze
Tamar Kiknadze is currently a member of the political council of “Solidarity for Peace.” Previously, she was a political council member in the party “European Socialists,” alongside Irakli Ubilava, who is now the political secretary of “Solidarity for Peace.” Tamar Kiknadze has ties to activities of Russian state-affiliated foundations in Georgia. She is associated with the Primakov Georgian-Russian Public Center, which was founded in 2013 by the Gorchakov Foundation, created by decree of the Russian president, and the Georgian Institute of International Relations. Kiknadze frequently participates in events organized by the center, often held with the involvement of the Eurasian Institute and other Kremlin-linked actors. Examples include expert meetings on Georgia-Russia relations; a public lecture by Archil Sikharulidze titled “Georgian-Russian Relations in the Context of the U.S. and Europe”; a commemorative evening for Primakov; and more. At present, Kiknadze is also a frequent guest on “Solidarity for Peace” broadcasts. Her manipulative, conspiratorial, and misleading claims have been repeatedly fact-checked by Myth Detector in the past.
- Giorgi Iremadze
Giorgi Iremadze is currently a member of the political council of the “Solidarity for Peace” party. He regularly promotes anti-Western and pro-Russian narratives and is actively involved in disinformation campaigns targeting the Lugar Laboratory. He is the founder of the pro-Russian organizations Young Eurasian Union and Patriot TV, the latter being an openly pro-Russian media outlet. On his Facebook group Georgia and Russia / Грузия и Россия, Iremadze regularly shares coverage of party members’ activities in Russia and informs Georgian youth about opportunities to study at Russian universities for free. In the same group, he congratulated members on the restoration of visa-free travel between Russia and Georgia. Iremadze has frequently attended events in Moscow. In 2022, he participated in a forum titled “Russia-Georgia Relations and Prospects for Development” along with members of “Solidarity for Peace” and other pro-Russian organizations. The event was organized by representatives of the Russian State Duma’s Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots.
Iremadze is also a frequent guest on Solovyov LIVE (1,2) and TV Zvezda programs (1,2).
- Davit Osepashvili
Davit Osepashvili was portrayed as a “randomly interviewed citizen” in the Russian pranksters’ segment filmed on the streets of Tbilisi. In reality, he is a frequent guest on “Solidarity for Peace” broadcasts and was one of the leaders of the pro-Russian party “Georgian Troupe” in 2020.
Osepashvili idealizes the Soviet past and believes that Georgia achieved its historical strength only by being part of the Soviet Union: “We had development precisely when we were within the Soviet Union – that’s when Georgia truly flourished!”
Osepashvili argues that Georgia does not need partners who do not respect its history, culture, and faith, and asserts that “Only Russia is capable of restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity.”
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Osepashvili echoes Russian narratives, suggesting that the West is at war with Russia, and portrays Ukraine not as a sovereign state but as an instrument of the West against Russia: “It’s a fact that Russia is defeating the United States and Europe, who are fighting through Ukrainians, in a conventional war.”
- Nuka Arveladze
Nuka Arveladze is frequently quoted by pro-government media outlets, referring to her as a journalist and blogger. She is a frequent guest on “Solidarity for Peace” broadcasts. In one program, Arveladze stated that Vladimir Putin “had the wisdom” to protect his country from the West and, therefore, should not be criticized for it. Additionally, Nuka Arveladze supports Mamuka Pipia and advocates for the restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia. When asked on the “Vovan and Lexus” show how she views the normalization of Russia-Georgia relations, she responded that the situation has changed because, as she put it, there is currently a “NATO–Russia war” taking place in Ukraine. According to Arveladze, “many things have become clear to many people,” and what she has known for years is now gradually being realized by the public.
- Ilia Lobzhanidze
Another so-called local resident interviewed for the “Vovan and Lexus” show was Ilia Lobzhanidze. He is the host of “Socialist Platform Time,” a program aired by “Solidarity for Peace.” Ilia Lobzhanidze also ran as a majoritarian candidate in Rustavi in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
- Giorgi Jabishvili
Giorgi Jabishvili also appeared on the “Vovan and Lexus” show, joining the program from Tbilisi as an international correspondent [25:30] and talking about the protests taking place in Georgia. Jabishvili stated that the situation in Tbilisi is currently peaceful, except for “the lunatics of the city,” who protest daily with slogans and microphones. According to him, these individuals are demanding the resignation of the government, but such protests require financial backing. Jabishvili believes that if foreign funding can be obtained with the government’s approval, the protests will cease, and they will continue only if funding is available. Notably, Jabishvili is a frequent guest on various Russian propaganda TV programs (1,2,3).
- Who is Mamuka Pipia, who claims it was his idea to prank call President Zourabichvili?
Recently, the political party “Solidarity for Peace” has been actively cooperating with official and public institutions operating in Russia. One of the main actors in this process is Mamuka Pipia, a Russia-based businessman who holds the position of International Secretary of “Solidarity for Peace.”
On April 26, 2025, in a video published by Paata Abuladze, the leader of the pro-Russian party “Solidarity for Peace,” Mamuka Pipia, is seen inviting the pro-Putin biker gang “Night Wolves” to Georgia, stating that “Russia will flourish.” The video shows Pipia presenting the group’s leader, Alexander Zaldostanov, with the Georgian flag while receiving the Russian flag in return.
In the process of restoring direct flights between Russia and Georgia, “Solidarity for Peace” had been engaged in intensive dialogue with representatives of the Russian government since the end of 2022. On June 15, 2024, Sputnik-Georgia published a Russian-language video address from Mamuka Pipia in which he appeals to President Putin to abolish the visa regime. Pipia frequently participates in events organized by Russia’s political elite. Among others, he attended the “International Anti-Fascist Forum” held in Moscow in April 2025; on March 22, 2025, he took part in a conference organized by the international “People’s Unity Club” in Moscow, and on July 22, 2024, he attended an international event of the “Club of Friends of Russia,” established by Russia’s ruling party, which was opened with a speech by Sergey Lavrov.
In May 2023, when direct flights to Russia resumed, Pipia was one of the first passengers on the Moscow-Tbilisi route. In his comments at the airport, he spoke about the economic benefits of the flights and referred to Russia’s war in Ukraine as a “special military operation,” effectively justifying the aggression.
In Russia, Pipia also meets with Kremlin-aligned politicians, including State Duma members Sergei Gavrilov and Kazbek Taysaev. In 2023, Pipia also visited the Parliament of Georgia – he was photographed flipping through the Constitution in the office of Georgian Dream MP Vasil Chigogidze.
