Russia puts former British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on wanted list | World News

Russia has placed former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on its wanted list in connection with an unspecified criminal case, according to the Russian Interior Ministry’s database cited by state media.The database entry reportedly states that Wallace is “wanted on a criminal charge”, though authorities have not publicly disclosed the exact allegations against him.Russian state news agency TASS, citing an unnamed law enforcement source, reported that the case could be linked to terrorism-related charges.Wallace served as Britain’s defence secretary between 2019 and 2023, including during the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Following his departure from government, he continued to publicly support increased military assistance for Ukraine and frequently criticised the Kremlin’s actions during the war.The move by Moscow comes months after Wallace made remarks about Crimea during the Warsaw Security Forum.Speaking at the event in September last year, Wallace argued that Ukraine should be supported with longer-range military capabilities to target Russian-controlled Crimea.“We have to help Ukraine have the long-range capabilities to make Crimea unviable,” Wallace said at the forum.“We need to choke the life out of Crimea,” he added.He also called for striking the bridge connecting Russia to Crimea, saying: “We need to smash the cursed bridge.”Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that was widely condemned by Western governments and not recognised internationally.Commenting on Moscow’s decision to place him on the wanted list, Wallace dismissed the move as politically motivated.“I am not surprised by this latest Russian stunt at a time when the Kremlin is failing at home and abroad,” Wallace said in an email to Reuters.“The whole world knows that Russia illegally invaded Ukraine four years ago,” he added, accusing the Kremlin of sacrificing Russian lives “for the sake of Putin’s ego”.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier criticised Wallace’s comments on Crimea, reportedly describing them as “stupid”.