Overview

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Ben Wallace’s reported statements on Crimea “stupid” and said the Kremlin sees no need to comment on remarks by former defence ministers.
• State Duma deputy Mikhail Sheremet labeled Wallace’s call to “strangle” Crimea as Nazism and portrayed him as a supporter of Kyiv’s leadership.
• RIA Novosti relayed that The Guardian quoted Wallace urging that Ukraine be enabled to conduct long-range strikes to make Crimea uninhabitable and to use Taurus missiles against the Crimean Bridge.
• Sheremet asserted that Western interference fuelled the conflict in Ukraine and warned that Russia could respond many times over to any aggression.
• The coverage reflects rhetorical escalation and official condemnation, with no reports of new military actions or policy changes tied to the remarks.