The PASOK party has escalated political pressure on the Greek government following the revelation that Thanos Dokos — national security advisor and close aide to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis — was impersonated in a video call by Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus. In a sharp new statement, PASOK reiterated its position that Dokos’s dismissal is “the only way forward,” marking its second public intervention on the matter within hours.
Accusations of Downplaying a Serious Incident
PASOK accused the government of attempting to downplay what it described as a grave security breach through an “atypical briefing” — one that, according to the opposition, fails to provide substantive answers about what exactly occurred or whether sensitive information may have been compromised.
“They are trying to ‘lower the temperature’ of the issue by claiming no classified information ‘leaked’ — all in an effort to shield the prime minister’s exposed close collaborator,” the party stated.
Key Questions Raised
In its statement, PASOK’s parliamentary group — led by MP Charilaos Trikoupis — posed a series of pointed questions to the government: Who was Dokos speaking with during the call? Was a secure communication platform used? Did the leaked video originate from the cyberattack itself or from another source? Has any other material been compromised? And does the presence of the head of Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) in a foreign capital constitute classified information?
Government Response
The Maximos Mansion acknowledged the incident as a hybrid cyberattack employing highly advanced AI tools, citing a breach of security protocols. Government sources stressed that no confidential or classified information was disclosed during the call. They added that a comprehensive upgrade of communication security systems — specifically designed to counter emerging hybrid threats — is already underway.
Officials also cited similar incidents involving high-level European officials, underscoring that such impersonation tactics have been repeatedly deployed internationally.
Background: How the Crisis Unfolded
The controversy erupted after Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus released a video showing Dokos participating in what he believed was a video call with a Ukrainian official. During the conversation, he discussed a recent incident involving a Ukrainian drone spotted off the coast of Lefkada, as well as the potential implications for Greece — particularly amid peak tourist season. Dokos also offered assessments on upcoming Greek elections and their political ramifications.