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‘Australian Cossack’ wanted by police over allegations of harassment by Ukrainian ambassador after pro-Russian YouTuber revealed diplomat’s mobile number in prank video
- Simeon Boikov’s prank called the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia on YouTube
- The ‘Aussie Cossack’ spread the diplomat’s number to his 150,000 followers
- Vasyl Myroshnychenko inundated with dozens of threatening calls after
The pro-Russian YouTuber dubbed the ‘Aussie Cossack’ is being wanted by police after the Ukrainian ambassador claimed he leaked his phone number.
Simeon Boikov joked with Vasyl Myroshnychenko live on his YouTube show on Thursday, broadcasting the diplomat’s number to his 150,000 followers.
Myroshnychenko, who is Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, said he was inundated with dozens of threatening calls and messages after the stunt.
A NSW Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that they are seeking Boikov’s arrest after the NSW probation board revoked his probation license.
Simeon Boikov joked with Vasyl Myroshnychenko live on his YouTube show on Thursday, broadcasting the diplomat’s number to his 150,000 followers.
The YouTube video was titled ‘Ukrainian Ambassador’s Joke on Tennis Australia Ban for Russians’ and has been viewed by 13,000 viewers.
Boikov, a vocal supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is said to have created the video following the ambassador’s call for Tennis Australia to reconsider the ban on Russian and Belarusian players from the Australian Open.
“Now he’s mad about the Australian Open,” Boikov said in the video.
‘But what he did in the statement he released, he released his mobile phone number. There it is there on the screen…
So the mobile number of the Ukrainian ambassador reaches the sphere of influence of the Australian Cossack, one might say.
‘Let me know in the comments section what we should do next. Should we call it? he asked the spectators of him.
Myroshnychenko said she received around 30 phone calls, text messages and voicemails from people since the video.
“(Mr. Boikov) released my phone number to his network who started calling me, harassing me, intimidating me with insults and threats,” Mr. Myroshnychenko said. the aussie.
He said some callers were “more sophisticated” while others just cursed him.
The Australian Federal Police said it was aware of the matter and was working with the diplomatic mission.
NSW Police are now seeking Boikov’s arrest, and the ambassador says he fears for his safety.
Asked if he was worried about his safety, Mr. Myroshnychenko replied: “Of course.”
‘Of course it’s awkward, it’s distracting.’
Boikov insisted that he had not encouraged anyone to harass the diplomat.
“I don’t know any of the people who called him,” he said. I didn’t ask anyone to call him. Maybe it’s paranoia.’
The YouTuber is believed to be at the Russian consulate in Sydney and reportedly applied for Russian citizenship.
He is also said to have sought political asylum after being accused of assaulting an elderly man at a Ukrainian rally in December.
Boikov was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and was granted conditional bail, saying he was confident he would win on the grounds of “self-defense.”
He said The Guardian the ambassador’s phone number was already available online and he did not tell anyone to harass the ambassador.
“He is only to blame if people call him and he gets backlash from the Australian public,” he said.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Simeon Boikov and Vasyl Myroshnychenko for comment.