Russia has placed Ben Wallace, the former British defence secretary, on a wanted list in connection with an unspecified criminal investigation, according to state media reports citing the Russian Interior Ministry’s database.
Mr Wallace, who served as UK defence secretary from before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 until August 2023, has consistently advocated for increased military support for Kyiv and been a vocal critic of Russian aggression since leaving office.
The move follows a call last October from a regional Russian lawmaker for Mr Wallace to be placed on an international wanted list, after he suggested at the Warsaw Security Forum in September that Ukraine should be helped to carry out a military strike on the bridge connecting southern Russia to Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
It is not clear how many foreign officials appear on the database, but independent outlet Mediazona reported in 2024 that it includes dozens of European politicians and officials. Mr Wallace has not yet responded to requests for comment.
