Russian authorities have added former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace to their criminal wanted database as part of an unnamed investigation, according to state media reports citing the Russian Interior Ministry on Wednesday.
Wallace held the position of Britain’s defense chief from before Moscow’s full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022 through August 2023. Following his departure from office, he has remained an outspoken supporter of increased military assistance to Ukraine while criticizing Russian military actions.
State media outlets provided no additional information about the investigation, and Wallace has not responded to requests for comment regarding the development.
The move appears connected to statements Wallace made at last year’s Warsaw Security Forum regarding Crimea, the Ukrainian territory Russia seized in 2014. A Russian regional legislator had previously demanded in October that Wallace be added to Moscow’s international wanted database over those remarks.
During his September appearance at the security conference, Wallace advocated for assisting Ukraine in conducting military operations against the bridge connecting southern Russia to Crimea.
“We have to help Ukraine have the long-range capabilities to make Crimea unviable. We need to choke the life out of Crimea. And if we do that, I think Putin will realise he’s got something to lose,” he said. “We need to smash the cursed bridge.”
The total number of foreign officials and public figures listed in Russia’s Interior Ministry wanted database remains unclear. However, independent news organization Mediazona reported in 2024 that dozens of European politicians and officials appear on the list.
