Hoax callers are targeting ministers and pretending to be British citizens captured by Russia in Ukraine, it emerged today.
Cabinet Office security officials are understood to have sent an e-mail warning staff in Cabinet ministers’ private offices.
According to the Independent, staff were urged not to engage with callers impersonating supposed prisoners of war.
Instead, they were directed to speak to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
A Government spokesperson said: "These attempts are standard practice for Russian Information Operations and further evidence of the Putin regime’s efforts to distract from their illegal activities in Ukraine, including human rights abuses.
“It also reflects Putin's desperation as he seeks to hide the scale of the conflict and Russia's failings on the battlefield."
The Independent reported that the warning came last week, after three ministers were already targeted by hoaxers.
Ben Wallace was depicted in the back of a vehicle in Poland over video link, being asked about Ukraine ’s “nuclear programme” by a man he had been told was Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The “teaser” video was one minute and 39 seconds long, heavily edited and only included a few comments from Mr Wallace, including: “ Russia would really hate that.”
Mr Wallace did not appear to say anything embarrassing or sensitive in the video.
It was one of three attempted hoax calls, Britain said. Imposters also got through to Home Secretary Priti Patel, and tried to get through to Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries but failed.
Boris Johnson ’s spokesman said at the time: “I don’t want to give this attempt at disinformation oxygen, frankly… It’s standard practice for Russian information operations to try to use these tactics.”
He added: “We believe the Russian state was responsible. I’m unable to go into more detail about the information that sits behind that.”
A Ministry of Defence source said the video was "garbage", adding: "It's a doctored clip.
"What you don't hear is the Defence Secretary also saying that the UK can't have anything to do with alleged Ukrainian nuclear ambitions, because the UK is committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons."
The clip claimed it was a "video-prank" with "Vovan and Lexus", a pair previously attributed to a hoax aimed at the Duke of Sussex.
Lexus and Vovan have previously targeted Sir Elton John, a vocal opponent of Russia's "gay propaganda" laws, critics of the Kremlin and world leaders including Canada's Justin Trudeau.
Critics have accused the pair, real names Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, of having links to Russian security services, something they deny.
