British Defence Secretary John Healey triggered outrage in Moscow after declaring that, if he could capture any world leader, it would be Russian President Vladimir Putin. Healey made the explosive statement during a visit to Ukraine, stating he would take Putin into custody and hold him accountable for alleged war crimes.
Healey cited mass civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and alleged forced deportations of Ukrainian children as examples of Putin’s brutality. He described Russia’s actions in Ukraine as deliberate attacks on civilians and made clear he believes Putin must face justice.
The comment came as Western support for Ukraine continues to intensify. Britain has pledged further assistance to Kyiv and is preparing plans to potentially deploy troops if a peace deal is reached. Despite the UK’s declining military capacity, Healey’s bold language suggests growing frustration with Russia’s continued aggression.
Though such an operation is logistically implausible, the symbolism of the remark drew an immediate and furious reaction from the Kremlin. Russian officials labeled the comment as delusional and accused Britain of warmongering.
The remark also echoed recent calls by Ukrainian leaders, who pointed to the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro as a model for dealing with hostile regimes. They suggested similar actions should be considered against Putin if circumstances allowed.
The British government has taken a hard line on Russian aggression, with rising political pressure to formally label Russia’s elite military units as terrorist organizations and disrupt Moscow’s shadow financial networks. The UK’s involvement in Ukraine is deepening, with growing military cooperation and strategic alignment with other European allies.
Healey’s statement reflects a broader Western desire to see Russian leadership held accountable for its war in Ukraine, even if such outcomes remain unlikely in the short term. His choice of words may have been provocative, but it highlights the increasing willingness of Western leaders to call out authoritarian regimes without diplomatic restraint.
