Mila Kunis Defends Justin Timberlake – in Russian

By Alison Schwartz

08/03/2011 at 11:30 AM EDT

How do you say "don't mess with Mila" in Russian?

While answering reporters' questions at a press junket in Moscow for Friends with Benefits last week, Kunis proved she has a knack for sass – even when she's not acting.

After a Russian reporter asked costar Justin Timberlake, 30, why he's focusing on his on-screen career over music, the actress, 27, who was born in Ukraine, rushed to his defense.

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"Why movies? Why not?" she replied in Russian, before a translator could step in. "What kind of question is that? Why are you here?"

Her snappy retort was met by laughter and cheers from the crowd – and a new job title from her costar.

"[She] is my bodyguard," Timberlake joked.