Six British men acting for Russia's Wagner group have been sentenced to prison for setting fire to a London warehouse storing humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The judge at the Old Bailey described their actions as a planned campaign of terrorism and sabotage in the interests of the Russian state.
Dylan Earl, 21, received 17 years in prison plus six years on extended licence for his leading role. Jake Reeves, 24, from Croydon, was jailed for 12 years with one year on extended licence. Jakeem Rose, 23, also from Croydon, was sentenced to eight years and 10 months. Nii Mensah, 23, from Thornton Heath, received nine years, and Ugnius Asmena, 21, was given seven years. Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, was jailed for nine years for failing to disclose information about terrorist acts.
The arson attack on the warehouse in Leyton, east London, caused £1 million in damage and endangered 60 firefighters in March last year. The court heard that Earl and Reeves organised the attack from their bedrooms, targeting the site because it supplied humanitarian aid and Starlink equipment to Ukraine.
Police analysis of Earl's mobile phone revealed contact with Wagner group members on Telegram, including reconnaissance for further attacks on a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair owned by Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin. Discussions also involved using explosives and kidnapping Chichvarkin. Police found a Russian flag, over £20,000 in cash, and cocaine at Earl's home.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb stated the case highlighted Russian efforts to gain influence using social media to recruit saboteurs. The Wagner group is proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
