According to Zerkalo, unidentified individuals posing as journalists from Novaya-Europe recruited Ukrainian and Lithuanian citizens through Telegram to conduct an interview with Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tihanouskaya.
An 18-year-old Ukrainian national named Igor (surname undisclosed), residing in Vilnius since 2022, posted an advertisement in a Telegram group seeking work opportunities. Shortly afterward, a woman identifying herself as Ilona, an editor at Nova-Europe, reached out to him.
She claimed to need someone to record an interview with Tikhanovskaya for their YouTube channel. After sending Igor an advance payment of 100 euros, Ilona provided the interview venue details and the contact information of the politician's press secretary. Igor brought along a Lithuanian citizen to assist during the filming.
Zerkalo reports that Ilona also supplied Igor with a set of prepared questions. These included topics such as the potential release of Belarusian political figure Siarhei Tihanouski, his upcoming plans, his stance on sanctions, and Lithuania's perspective on Belarusian nationals.