Russian Campaign of Disruption in Britain

"[The case was a clear example of an organization linked to the Russian state  using 'proxies', in this case British men, to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country."

"[Earl and Reeves willingly acted as hostile agents on behalf of the Russian state."

"[It was] only by good fortune nobody was seriously injured or worse."

Cmdr. Dominic Murphy, head, Counter Terrorism Command, London Metropolitan Police

 

"Another proxy group acting for Russia has been brought to justice, thanks to the work of our criminal justice system."

"National security is the foundation of our plan for change, and these convictions should serve as a clear warning to those seeking to undermine our national security or the safety of the UK."

"Those acting on Russia’s behalf will be met by the full force of the law."

 U.K. Security Minister, Dan Jarvis

An east London warehouse where generators and satellite communication equipment bound for Ukraine was set on fire in March 2024. British prosecutors have linked the arson attack to the Wagner Group.

 

Three men have been convicted by a British jury on charges of arson stemming from an attack on a warehouse storing equipment meant to be forwarded and supplied to Ukraine. According to British authorities, Russian intelligence organized the plot. Planned by agents of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, on behalf of Russian military intelligence. Wagner is listed in Britain as a terrorist organization.

 

Wagner made use of British intermediaries for its recruitment purposes, to target an industrial unit in Leyton, east London. At the warehouse, generators and StarLink satellite equipment destined for Ukraine were being kept in storage. Ukraine's military frequently use StarLinks in fending off Russia's ('special military operation) invasion.

CCTV footage released by the London Metropolitan Police showed the lead-up to the attack

 

A campaign of disruption was organized by the Wagner group, and the arson attack was a part of that campaign. Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, and Nii Mensah, 23 were found guilty of aggravated arson, by the jury at London's Central Criminal Court. A fourth man, Paul English, 61, was acquitted of charges, informing police that although he had been paid to drive the other men, he had not been informed what their mission comprised.

 

Damage of approximately 1 million pounds was caused by the fire ($1.85 million). The attack had been orchestrated by Dylon Earl, 21, and Jake Reeves 23, both of whom pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, acting on behalf of the Wagner Group prior to the beginning of the trial. The two men pleaded guilty as well, to offences under the U.K.'s National Security Act 2023.

 

Evgeny Chickvarkin, owner of a wine shop and restaurant in the upmarket London neighbourhood of Mayfair, is an exiled Russian tycoon whom Dylon Earl admitted he planned to kidnap, while plotting to set fire to the Russian tycoon's business. The court was in possession of a written statement by Chichvarkin that attested to the fact he is considered "a key enemy of the Russian state and received daily death threats".

 

Another two men were on trial, connected to the arson and related plots. 20-year-old Ashton Evens was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts relating to the Mayfair plot. He was cleared of failing to inform authorities of the warehouse arson, however. And 23-year-old Dmitrijus Paulauskas, was cleared of both charges.  

 

Damage caused by a fire at an industrial unit in Leyton. Photo: London Fire Brigade