Amateur saboteurs: the young men carrying out attacks for gangs, Russia and Iran

Live updates

1. 5d ago

   Amateur saboteurs: foreign-backed attacks persist as UK warns of escalating interference

   Two men, including a Ukrainian national, were convicted in 2025 for arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with evidence implicating a Russian-linked figure known as 'EL Money.' Authorities continue to highlight the trend of young men being recruited online for sabotage by foreign actors, including Russia and Iran. The financial motives behind the attacks remain unclear. The broader risk of foreign interference in domestic affairs grows as recruitment tactics evolve.

   What's confirmed:

   • Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian national, messaged someone identified as 'EL Money' shortly after midnight on May 13, 2025, following instructions to commit three acts of sabotage.
   • The convicted men in the 2025 arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acted under instructions from a shadowy figure known as 'EL Money,' though their financial motivations were not fulfilled.
   • Authorities warn that the recruitment of young men online for sabotage by foreign actors, including Russia and Iran, poses a growing risk of escalating foreign interference in domestic affairs.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • A Florida man was taken into custody on Monday after deputies said he fired shots into a home in Daytona Beach.
   confidence 85%
2. 6d ago

   Two convicted in UK PM-targeted arson plot; wider trend of amateur sabotage emerges

   Two men—one Ukrainian—were found guilty of carrying out arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2025, with evidence pointing to a Russian mastermind. The case highlights a broader pattern of young men being recruited online to commit sabotage for foreign actors, including Russia and Iran. Authorities warn this trend risks escalating foreign interference in domestic affairs. The convicted men acted under instructions from a shadowy figure known as 'EL Money,' though their financial motivations remain unfulfilled.

   What's confirmed:

   • Two men were convicted in a UK court for plotting arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
   • One of the convicted men is a Ukrainian national named Roman Lavrynovych, who acted under instructions from a figure known as 'EL Money'.
   • The attacks were coordinated by a Russian mastermind, with evidence linking the plot to Russia.
   • Young men in the UK are increasingly being recruited through social media to commit sabotage for gangs, Russia, and Iran.
   • Many of these recruits are minors or young adults who often do not receive payment for their actions.
   • The use of unreliable, untrained individuals—often minors—to carry out sabotage for foreign states has become a notable trend in recent years.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The Russian mastermind behind the plot is described as a 'mysterious' figure with no further details confirmed.
   • The BBC has linked Russia to the arson attacks targeting Keir Starmer, but no direct evidence of Kremlin involvement has been publicly disclosed.
   • Foreign states are increasingly using young, unpaid saboteurs to avoid direct attribution in attacks.
   confidence 97%