Process on the UK fire foundation: Russia recruit discovered for terrorism

Process on the UK fire foundation: Russia recruit discovered for terrorism

Dylan Earl expressed the desire for a “fresh start” in his life. Unsatisfied with the perspectives in his dreary English city, he decided to orchestrate a terrorist attack in London on behalf of a Russian mercenary group.

The motivation behind the attack

The 20-year-old drug dealer based on the underground earnings would have preferred to do military service in Russia. He had heard that you could earn good money there by fighting for a supposedly just thing. However, he feared that his lack of knowledge of Russian would stand in his way.

recruitment about social media

Earl was able to support the war from the convenience of his home in the Midlands of England. His commitment began with a simple "hello" to an anonymous telegram account called "Private Bot", which Europeans invited to participate in the "resistance" against the allies of Ukraine. Just five days later, Earl organized a group of men who set fire to a warehouse in the east of London, selecting this goal due to his connections to Ukraine.

The following month was arrested and charged and convicted for serious arson and crime according to the new British National Security Act. Another suspicious, Jake Reeves, also guilty.

The process and the conviction

More than a year later, six other people stood in court in front of the Old Bailey in London in connection with the attack. On Tuesday, three were convicted by the jury for serious arson, while a fourth accused, from whom the public prosecutor claimed that he had driven it to the scene, was acquitted from this accusation.

Two men who were accused of not having informed the police about a potential terrorist attack were also convicted that one was acquitted on two charges.

The role of the Wagner Group

The British prosecutors argued that the "Private Bot" account was connected to the Wagner Group, which fought in Ukraine and maintains Russia's influence in Africa. Although the account is now inactive, corresponding correspondences were shown in the process of how deep surgeons went to recruit soldiers for the "shadow war" against the West.

The new type of recruitment

Russia does not rely on well -trained agents, but on a network of criminals, some of whom support Moscow's thing and sometimes just want to earn money. Instead of recruiting and planning for years for espionage and sabotage, these operations can be carried out on Telegram and with some cash in a few hours today. Analysts say that this tactic represents a dark turn of the modern "gig" economy: enemy states use a young, temporary and flexible worker. The work is needs-oriented, just-in-time and uncomplicated.

consequences for security in Europe

This development prepares the security authorities in Europe. Ken McCallum, the head of the British domestic secret service MI5, warned last year that Russia is on a "mission to create chaos on British and European roads". Richard Moore, the then boss of the MI6, the foreign intelligence agency, summed it up more drastically: "The Russian intelligence services have become a bit aluminum."

The trial against the six British revealed more about how this gig economy works. CNN evaluated hundreds of social media exchange, which the public prosecutor's office classified as between the accused and their police statements in order to show how Russia recruits for his fight against the West.

The attack and its effects

In the early morning hours of March 20, 2024, Paul English prepared for his colon cancer screening and was more likely to find himself as a driver at night - a favor for the neighbor. The group carried out its plan and lit the warehouse, which resulted in damage of over £ 1 million.

The motifs behind this and similar attacks are complex: the western supporters of Ukraine can unsettle such attacks. According to a database on suspected Russian "shadow" attacks, such acts have quadrupled between 2022 and 2023 and then almost tripled between 2023 and 2024.

effects and relevance

The reaction of Europe on such attacks has so far been fragmented. It is all the more important that Europe focuses more on the true backers of such tactics. Historically, Moscow has put a lot of trouble rewarding his spies, but this “gig-economy” recruit cannot expect the same. They are unnecessary for Russia, but they are considered traitors for their home countries.

While the pace of the alleged attacks has decreased in recent months, a return of such tactics is expected as soon as Russia learns from its first "test" operations. This means that the shadow war continues and the threat to European security remains.