I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that the next step is released during the Nato summit. 'I would expect the timing of the releases to be determined to maximise effect. That has been the way these have been used in the past, so we would expect the information to be leaked out over time. He added: 'It is standard practice for Russian information operations to try and use these tactics, it seeks to be a distraction from their illegal activities in Ukraine, their human rights abuses, and so we will not be distracted from our purpose in ensuring Putin must fail in Ukraine.'Ī Western official said: 'The primary objective is to embarrass and sow division. The PM's official spokesman said: 'We believe the Russian state was responsible and I'm unable to go into more detail about the information that sits behind that.' 'People should be very sceptical about reporting on, and accepting as real, any part of these Russian state doctored clips.'
In a second clip, Mr Wallace appeared to warn the UK was running short of anti-tank weapons (NLAWs), after providing more than 4,000 to Ukraine.īut the Ministry of Defence insisted Britain still had 'enough weapons systems to defend both UK national security and maintain our commitments' to Nato.Īn MoD statement said: 'This video, like most Russian propaganda, is fed out to obscure and manipulate the truth. Mr Wallace hit back against the hoaxers earlier this week by sharing image of the notorious interview in which the two Russian suspects in the Salisbury poisoning claimed to have visited the city to admire the cathedral's spire
He said: 'No I mean people who are nationalists as Putin tried to fear all the world that there are a lot of Banderas, neo-Nazis, I hope that UK citizens are not afraid of them.' She said: Clearly they're not, the support is very significant here, it really is.'ĭebate was raging among experts today whether the footage was spliced so the Home Secretary's answers matched up with different questions. In one clip, the prankster said: 'I hope that the family will not be afraid from our nationalists as Putin tried to make them fear.'Īfter a long pause, Ms Patel said: 'Well I think Prime Minister you're absolutely right and if I may we launched the sponsorship scheme yesterday just for people to express their interest on housing Ukrainian nationals.' They also discussed the situation with the war, the refugee crisis and Britain's support for Ukraine. The rambling conversation, which appeared to have been doctored, saw one of the pranksters compare the Home Secretary to Margaret Thatcher.
The new video, shared on the site this morning, shows Ms Patel sitting in front of a Union flag and a Ukraine one in what appeared to be her office. The videos are presented as being from the self-styled pranksters Vladimir 'Vovan' Kuznetsov and Alexei 'Lexus' Stolyarov but No10 insisted the Kremlin is behind the attempted smears