Process for UK brand attack: Russians recruit gig workers for terrorism

Dylan Earl is looking for a “fresh start” in his life. Dissatisfied with his perspectives in his dreary English home town, the 20-year-old small dealer decided to organize a terrorist attack in London on behalf of a Russian mercenary group.

A dangerous plan takes shape

he could have wished to have moved to Russia to join the military there. He had heard that there was a good way to make a lot of money by fighting for a supposedly just thing, but feared that his lack of knowledge of Russian would stand in his way.

a perfidious recruitment

But Earl found a way to support the war from the convenience of his home in the Midlands of England. A simple "hello" to an anonymous telegram account called "Private Bot", which invited Europeans to participate in "resistance" against the allies of Ukraine.

the attack

five days later, Earl organized that a group of men set fire to a warehouse in eastern London because it had connections to Ukraine. The following month, Earl was arrested and charged with serious arson and a violation of the new British National Security Act, which he guilty. A second suspect, Jake Reeves, also guilty.

court ruling and other participants

More than a year later, six other defendants were in connection with the attack on Old Bailey in London from May to July. On Tuesday, three of them were convicted by the jury for serious arson, while a fourth defendant - who, according to the public prosecutor, had driven them to the scene of the crime was acquitted.

Russian connections

British prosecutors said that the account "Privet Bot" was connected to Wagner, a Russian mercenary group that fought in Ukraine. Although the account is no longer active, correspondences in the process showed the extent to recruit foot soldiers for the "shadow war" against the West.

The new strategy of Russia

In this campaign,

Russia did not rely on well -trained agents, but on a network of petty criminals: some who support Moscow's thing, others who just want money. Analysts call this tactic a dark turn of the modern "gig" economy: enemy states use a young, temporary and flexible workforce.

The effects on security in Europe

This has brought great challenges for the security authorities in Europe. Ken McCallum, head of the MI5, warned that Russia was on a "mission to create chaos on British and European streets". Richard Moore, then head of the MI6, formulated it even more clearly: "The Russian secret services have unleashed a bit."

How the gig economy works

The trial against the six British revealed more about how this gig economy works. CNN has checked hundreds of news on social media, of which the prosecutors claimed that they were exchanged between the accused.

The criminal background

Earl earned money with the trade of cocaine and had around £ 20,000 ($ 27,000) in cash, and even more in cryptocurrencies. But he wanted to achieve more and had made the decision to leave England.

a dangerous wire to the enemy

On June 23, 2023, Earl joined a telegram group called "AP Wagner Chat" and received the first destination on this evening: a warehouse in Leyton, east of London, operated by a Ukrainian who delivered Starlink-Inter aid terminals to Ukraine-essential technology for the war use.

preparation for the attack

While Earl saw himself as a spy of the Cold War, he wondered what kind of work he would actually do. The telegram account "Privet Bot" encouraged him and encouraged him to watch the "The Americans" series-a cold war drama in which Russian spies perform dangerous missions for the Soviet Union.

The nightly use

On the evening of March 20, 2024, Paul English prepared for his intestinal cancer. While he followed a request from neighboring son to drive him and his friends through the city. English agreed and the trip to the warehouse began.

The consequences of the attack

The London fire brigade was called to Cromwell Industrial Estate shortly before midnight. The fire caused damage of over £ 1 million. In retrospect, too, the habit of those involved showed that they hardly grasped the extent of their acts.

The motifs behind the attacks

Although the arson of a warehouse would not change the course of the war directly in favor of Russia, such attacks can summarize the western supporters of Ukraine.

The consequences for those involved

mensah was dissatisfied with the payment and found that he would not receive any wages until the Russians could evaluate the damage. But the message of the "Private Bots" was not long in coming and expressed Earl to blame. Earl was desperate, his fellow campaigners became dissatisfied and began to plan other raids.

conclusion and the outlook

The events related to Dylan Earl and his accomplices make a highlight of the new methods that Russia uses to achieve its goals in Europe. The increase in such “gig crime” is a serious threat to both the security authorities and society.