Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAlessandra PrenticeWednesday 13 May 2026 16:30 BSTFrom 2022: Vladimir Putin 'unlikely to succeed' in occupying Ukraine, Ben Wallace saysRussia has placed Ben Wallace, the former UK defence minister, on a wanted list in connection with an unspecified criminal investigation.Wallace served as the UK's defence minister from before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 until August 2023.He has consistently advocated for increased military support for Kyiv and condemned Russian aggression.Last October, a regional Russian lawmaker called for Wallace to be put on an international wanted list over comments he made about Crimea.Wallace had suggested helping Ukraine carry out a military strike on the Kerch Bridge, stating the need to 'choke the life out of Crimea' and 'smash the cursed bridge'.In fullFormer UK defence secretary Ben Wallace placed on Russia’s wanted listThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in