Such manipulation was widespread in social networks, in particular in telegram channels broadcasting pro-Russian rhetoric. The reports say that the head of the British Ministry of Defense, Ben Wallace, allegedly stated the fact that “aid to Ukraine has significantly weakened the defense capability of European countries”. In addition, according to reports, the head of the department allegedly “admitted” that the supply of ammunition in Europe was “very low”. The British Secretary of Defense allegedly made such statements on February 16 during an interview with British BBC Radio 4. This is manipulation.

Fact-checkers of the StopFake project drew attention to this case and, after studying it, determined that the propagandists took the minister's quotes out of context, completely distorting the content of what was said.

In fact, in an interview with BBC Radio 4, Ben Wallace said that Russia's war against Ukraine showed the vulnerability of the defense of all of Europe. Now, according to the minister, European countries are paying the price for years of cutting the military budget, when they had to save on the combat capability of the army, defense infrastructure and its maintenance.

That is, this is not about the fact that support for Ukraine allegedly “exhausted” or “caused problems” in the armed forces of European countries. The British Minister of Defense believes that the problem of the vulnerability of the European defense system is related to the reduction of the military budget and other processes in the past.

By spreading such manipulation, propagandists want to convince the audience that helping Ukraine disarms other countries, so they stay light and weak. Thus, propagandists want to encourage other states not to send weapons to Ukraine.