Wallace hoax video emerges as UK blames Kremlin for targeting of ministers
The Independent|March 22, 2022
A hoax video call with defence secretary, Ben Wallace, has surfaced after Britain blamed Vladimir Putin’s Russia for several hoaxes targeting government ministers in the hope of securing sensitive or embarrassing information.
SAM BLEWETT
Wallace hoax video emerges as UK blames Kremlin for targeting of ministers

Mr Wallace suggested the invasion of Ukraine “must be going so badly for the Kremlin” as it resorted to releasing “video fakes” as the footage was published yesterday evening.

Home secretary, Priti Patel, has also acknowledged having spoken to imposters posing as the Ukrainian prime minister, while an unsuccessful attempt was also made to target culture secretary, Nadine Dorries.

An “official teaser” of the call with Mr Wallace appeared on a YouTube account claiming it was a “video-prank” with “Vovan and Lexus”, a pair previously attributed to a hoax aimed at the Duke of Sussex.

Mr Wallace is shown speaking from Poland as the caller, purporting to be Denys Shmyhal, says they want to continue a “nuclear programme” to protect itself from Russia.

A Ministry of Defence source said the video was “garbage”, adding: “It’s a doctored clip.

This story is from the March 22, 2022 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the March 22, 2022 edition of The Independent.

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