Russia was behind arson attacks targeting the UK's Prime Minister, BBC reveals

4 hours ago

BBC investigation reveals Russia's involvement in arson attacks targeting UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's properties, orchestrated by a Russian handler using the initials EL.
EL, identified as Evgeny Lyukshin (23), is a Russian diplomat-in-training with ties to high-level officials; he recruited Ukrainians via Telegram for vandalism, graffiti, and arson, offering payment and Russian citizenship.
Russian operatives ran fake online groups (e.g., far-right 'Direct Action UK' and Islamic 'Takbir Foundation') to incite division, promote hatred, and organize real-life criminal acts in the UK, including mosque vandalism.
The attacks were part of a broader Russian hybrid warfare campaign targeting Europe, using proxies and disinformation to sow discord, with links to state-controlled entities like Rybar.
UK authorities have investigated but lack concrete evidence linking EL to the Russian state; however, sources privately conclude Russia was behind the attacks, seen as an escalation against the British state.

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