Polish president fooled by Russian phone pranksters claiming to be UN chief

A Russian prankster posing as the UN secretary-general managed to reach Poland's president on the telephone and rendered him speechless with questions about Ukraine, Russia and his reelection on Sunday.

The prankster, Vladimir Kuznetsov, known as Vovan, posted a recording of the 11-minute call on YouTube. President Andrzej Duda's office confirmed Wednesday that it was authentic, reports The Telegraph.

At various points in the conversation, conducted in English, Duda sounds surprised at the line of questioning but still refers to the impostor as "Your Excellency."

Kusnetzov and his partner have previously embarrassed a host of world leaders and celebrities, including Prince Harry, Boris Johnson, Elton John and French President Emmanuel Macron. 

Duda tweeted on Wednesday that he realized "something was not right" during the conversation, which took place Monday afternoon while the president awaited official word of his election victory.

The polish president said he was suspicious because the real United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres does not pronounce the name of Polish vodka brand Zubrowka as well as the caller did. But he conceded that the "voice was very similar." The president ended his tweet  with an emoticon of tears of laughter.

Polish state security is investigating how the prankster got through to the president and whether Russia's secret services were involved.

The Internal Security Agency said in a statement the call had been authorized by an official with Poland's mission to the United Nations and that his actions are under investigation.

Poland's relations with Russia are tense, especially over Poland's support for Ukraine's drive for closer links with the European Union.