From Dispatch Room
A BBC investigation has alleged that arson attacks targeting properties linked to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were part of a wider Russian-backed campaign of sabotage, disinformation and social division in the United Kingdom.
The investigation followed the conviction of Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc at the Old Bailey for conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property and a vehicle connected to the UK prime minister.
The attacks included the burning of a Toyota car previously owned by Starmer, a fire at the entrance of flats where he once lived, and another at the entrance of his private home, which had been rented to a relative after he moved into Downing Street.
According to the BBC, the men were allegedly directed through Telegram by an anonymous handler identified only by the initials “EL.” Messages reviewed by the broadcaster suggested that the handler offered money, Russian citizenship and further work in exchange for attacks and other acts of vandalism.
The BBC said its investigation found evidence suggesting that “EL” may be Evgeny Lyukshin, a 23-year-old Russian diplomat-in-training and son of a senior Russian official. Lyukshin did not respond to the BBC’s questions, while the Russian embassy rejected any attempt to link Russia or its foreign ministry to unlawful activity.
Investigators reported that the campaign went beyond the arson attacks and included efforts to create fake online far-right and Muslim groups designed to provoke anger, spread hatred and deepen social divisions in Britain.
One of the fake groups, Direct Action UK, reportedly promoted anti-Muslim content, encouraged attacks on mosques and police, and offered payment for vandalism. Several mosques and an Islamic school in London were later defaced with Islamophobic graffiti.
The BBC also reported that another fake group, the Takbir Foundation, pretended to be an Islamic organisation and allegedly sought to recruit people to spray-paint Islamic slogans in public places, apparently to inflame anti-Muslim sentiment.
The investigation said the same network used Russian-language communications, Moscow timestamps and online propaganda methods consistent with previous Russian influence operations.
British authorities have not publicly confirmed that the arson plot was state-backed. Counter-terrorism officials said they had not been able to prove who “EL” was or who he worked for. However, sources cited by the BBC said officials in the UK and Ukraine privately believe Russia was behind the attacks.
Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the BBC that the evidence suggested a deliberate escalation against the British state, adding that attacks on property linked to the prime minister would likely have required approval from high levels of authority.
The Russian embassy denied the allegations, insisting that Russia poses no threat to the United Kingdom and has no aggressive intentions toward Britain.
The revelations come amid wider concern across Europe over Russian hybrid warfare, including sabotage, arson plots, cyber operations and online influence campaigns targeting countries that support Ukraine.
— Newspot Nigeria
