The UK has accused Russia of issuing “doctored garbage” after a video hoax call with the Defence Secretary emerged today.
Ben Wallace is 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 is one minute and 39 seconds long, heavily edited and only includes a few comments from Mr Wallace, including: “ Russia would really hate that.”
He gave no assurance on the “nuclear programme”, instead saying he would have to speak to his Prime Minister.
Mr Wallace did not appear to say anything embarrassing or sensitive in the video, but it did tout a "full interview" within "a few days".
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: “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.
Mr Wallace said at the time of the incident last week he believed Russia was to blame.
Yesterday Downing Street officially pointed the finger at the Kremlin.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The Russian state was responsible for the hoax telephone calls made to UK ministers last week.
"This is standard practice for Russian information operations and disinformation is a tactic straight from the Kremlin playbook to try to distract from their illegal activities in Ukraine and the human rights abuses being committed there.
"We are seeing a string of distraction stories and outright lies from the Kremlin, reflecting Putin's desperation as he seeks to hide the scale of the conflict and Russia's failings on the battlefield."
Officials were understood to be lobbying a website to remove the video of Mr Wallace.
As the call was published, Mr Wallace suggested the invasion of Ukraine "must be going so badly for the Kremlin" if it was resorting to "video fakes".
Senior Government sources feared Russia may attempt to doctor footage obtained in the calls in an attempt to embarrass the UK.
The UK has launched an inquiry into the calls, accusing Russia of "desperation" and using "dirty tricks”.
Mr Wallace became suspicious that something was wrong during a 10-minute video call on Microsoft Teams last Thursday.
He claimed the caller asked about Britain's military movements, and he terminated the call after "several misleading questions".
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said last week: “He was acutely aware that he was on a Microsoft Teams call, and therefore he would not ever disclose any sensitive details on a platform that can be very easily intercepted and listened into.
"And the call therefore was pretty bland, I think, from what Ben was explaining to me last night, when the call started to ask more pointed questions about our intentions militarily in the region, Ben knew full well that’s not the sort of question anybody would normally ask on Teams.
"And so he became pretty suspicious and terminated the call.”
