MarkApr 18, 2023
Benjamin Wittes
I have not broken this raw footage into component video. But the Russians engaged in some quite dangerous behavior last night and I need all of your help drawing attention to it. The dramatic part starts at 1 hour, 23 minutes, when we posted calls for defections and the embassy sent a security goon to try to stop us.
Subsequently, we had a protracted negotiation with the embassy through—I am not making this off—Secret Service intermediaries. https://www.youtube.com/live/AR0x_IeJM-s?feature=share
Special Military Operation: Just Being Annoying

YouTube
Apr 16, 2023 at 5:23pmWeb
Show threadMatt BlazeApr 16, 2023
@benjaminwittes Whoa.
Show threadJeffrey VagleApr 16, 2023
@mattblaze @benjaminwittes Weirdness abounds.
Show threadMatt BlazeApr 16, 2023
@benjaminwittes @jvagle I’m imagining the conversation inside the embassy. “We will defeat moose and squirrel with special laser blocking umbrella dance. They will not know what is hit them!”
Show threadJeffrey VagleApr 16, 2023
@mattblaze @benjaminwittes We're witnessing the culmination of years of Spetnaz umbrella operations training at work.
Show threadBenjamin WittesApr 18, 2023
@mattblaze See today's #DogShirtDaily. And yes please on the tripod! That would rock!
Show threadStu Duerson, machina exo deusApr 16, 2023

@benjaminwittes

Your embassy friend does not look like a happy camper. I'd have loved to hear the conversation between him and his superior when he was ordered to go out and block you!

Ahh, well. At least he gets to live in America, instead of back in Putin's Russia. He's probably already copied down the FBI's defector phone #, for use when his rotation here ends.

Show threadKarl AuerbachApr 16, 2023
@benjaminwittes This is hard to grasp without a summary of the context.
Show threadNoah CallawayApr 16, 2023

@benjaminwittes That was wild. You’ve clearly gotten under their skin. Great job.

It’s hard to contribute time to this effort being on the west coast. How do I send monetary support to these efforts to annoy the RU embassy staff?

(Also, I’d love to see some pick and rolls implemented next time. A few bodies making a wall that someone can dodge behind and around could be very effective in “no touching projectorball”)

Show threadNoah CallawayApr 16, 2023

@benjaminwittes Using the very edge of the curb could also be effective, trying to force him out into the street.

But, really, the ladder and just challenging his arm endurance was a really solid play. I expect that will be the dominant No Touching Projectorball strategy for a while to come.

Show threadJames ReedApr 16, 2023
@benjaminwittes The thing about him having smelly armpits around 1:58 really got to him! 🤣🤣😂
Show threadAdamApr 16, 2023
@benjaminwittes
😂 😂 😂
Unbelievable! Sending out #UmbrellaBoy for a double umbrella offensive couldn't have been a greater gift.
Show threadTom RakeApr 17, 2023
@benjaminwittes I refer to the individual earlier this morning as the "Russian Umbrella Goon".
Show threadPeoriaBummerApr 19, 2023
@benjaminwittes Edit the video down to that clip and get it up on YouTube, so it can go around Twitter. Have someone good with TikTok annotate it properly. This needs to go viral!
Show threadBenjamin WittesApr 19, 2023
@PeoriaBummer see #DogShirtDaily yesterday and today for shorter clips.
Show threadPeoriaBummerApr 21, 2023
@benjaminwittes hell yes! This is going to be fun, Ben. You’re the best.
Show threadBenjamin WittesApr 21, 2023
@PeoriaBummer Also, check out Umbrella Boy's TikTok account!
https://www.tiktok.com/@umbrellaboy.ru
Show threadPeoriaBummerApr 23, 2023
@benjaminwittes we need to get the man to do some TikTok dances!
Show threadBenjamin WittesApr 23, 2023

@PeoriaBummer we did!

https://www.tiktok.com/@umbrellaboy.ru?_t=8bdcckoCnGA&_r=1

Umbrella Boy (@umbrellaboy.ru) | TikTok

Umbrella Boy (@umbrellaboy.ru) on TikTok | 2.5K Likes. 80 Followers. Subscribe to #DogShirtDaily on Substack. 🇺🇦 https://linktr.ee/umbrellaboy.ru.Watch the latest video from Umbrella Boy (@umbrellaboy.ru).

TikTok
Show threadmootsdnaApr 19, 2023
@benjaminwittes