Latest news with #Ukraine-linked
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Russia, Iran and China intensifying life-threatening operations in UK, police say, World News
LONDON — Russia, Iran and China are behind a growing number of life-threatening operations in Britain including attacks and kidnappings, often deploying criminals and sometimes children as proxies, two senior British police officers said on Tuesday (July 15). The British authorities in recent years have repeatedly voiced concern at what they said was malign activity by the three states in Britain, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine the state, to sabotage and assassinations. Those accusations have been rejected by Moscow, Beijing and Tehran, which say they are politically motivated. On Tuesday, the two British officers said told reporters there had been a fivefold increase in hostile state activity since the Novichok nerve agent poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2017, which London says was carried out by Russian spies. Dominic Murphy, who heads up London's Counter Terrorism Command, said the breadth, complexity and volume of hostile operations from Russia, Iran and China had grown at a rate neither they nor their international partners nor any intelligence community had predicted. "We are increasingly seeing these three states... undertaking threat-to-life operations in the United Kingdom," he told reporters. In most instances, proxies, usually criminals acting quite often for small amounts of cash, were carrying out the states' work for them, said Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing. The proxies also included vulnerable people or those who felt disenfranchised, with those aged in their mid teens among those arrested or under investigation. "We are concerned that they might find themselves in an online environment where they're encouraged or egged on to do something and don't understand what they're being asked to do," said Evans, adding they were less concerned that the children were ideologically motivated. Earlier this month, three men were convicted over an arson attack on Ukraine-linked businesses in London, which police said had been ordered by Russia's Wagner mercenary group. Their ringleader had earlier admitted plotting to kidnap a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, the head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 said that, since January 2022, there had been 20 Iran-backed plots to kidnap or kill British nationals or individuals based in Britain who Tehran regarded as a threat. "We know that they are continuing to try and sow violence on the streets of the United Kingdom, they too are to some extent relying on criminal proxies to do that," Murphy said of Iran. [[nid:720261]]
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Russia, Iran and China intensifying life-threatening operations in UK, police say
By Michael Holden Russia, Iran and China are behind a growing number of life-threatening operations in Britain including attacks and kidnappings, often deploying criminals and sometimes children as proxies, two senior British police officers said on Tuesday. The British authorities in recent years have repeatedly voiced concern at what they said was malign activity by the three states in Britain, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine the state, to sabotage and assassinations. Those accusations have been rejected by Moscow, Beijing and Tehran, which say they are politically motivated. On Tuesday, the two British officers said told reporters there had been a fivefold increase in hostile state activity since the Novichok nerve agent poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2017, which London says was carried out by Russian spies. Dominic Murphy, who heads up London's Counter Terrorism Command, said the breadth, complexity and volume of hostile operations from Russia, Iran and China had grown at a rate neither they nor their international partners nor any intelligence community had predicted. "We are increasingly seeing these three states ... undertaking threat-to-life operations in the United Kingdom," he told reporters. In most instances, proxies, usually criminals acting quite often for small amounts of cash, were carrying out the states' work for them, said Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing. The proxies also included vulnerable people or those who felt disenfranchised, with those aged in their mid teens among those arrested or under investigation. "We are concerned that they might find themselves in an online environment where they're encouraged or egged on to do something and don't understand what they're being asked to do," said Evans, adding they were less concerned that the children were ideologically motivated. Earlier this month, three men were convicted over an arson attack on Ukraine-linked businesses in London, which police said had been ordered by Russia's Wagner mercenary group. Their ringleader had earlier admitted plotting to kidnap a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, the head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 said that, since January 2022, there had been 20 Iran-backed plots to kidnap or kill British nationals or individuals based in Britain who Tehran regarded as a threat. "We know that they are continuing to try and sow violence on the streets of the United Kingdom, they too are to some extent relying on criminal proxies to do that," Murphy said of Iran. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia, Iran and China intensifying life-threatening operations in UK, police say
By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) -Russia, Iran and China are behind a growing number of life-threatening operations in Britain including attacks and kidnappings, often deploying criminals and sometimes children as proxies, two senior British police officers said on Tuesday. The British authorities in recent years have repeatedly voiced concern at what they said was malign activity by the three states in Britain, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine the state, to sabotage and assassinations. Those accusations have been rejected by Moscow, Beijing and Tehran, which say they are politically motivated. On Tuesday, the two British officers said told reporters there had been a fivefold increase in hostile state activity since the Novichok nerve agent poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2017, which London says was carried out by Russian spies. Dominic Murphy, who heads up London's Counter Terrorism Command, said the breadth, complexity and volume of hostile operations from Russia, Iran and China had grown at a rate neither they nor their international partners nor any intelligence community had predicted. "We are increasingly seeing these three states ... undertaking threat-to-life operations in the United Kingdom," he told reporters. In most instances, proxies, usually criminals acting quite often for small amounts of cash, were carrying out the states' work for them, said Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing. The proxies also included vulnerable people or those who felt disenfranchised, with those aged in their mid teens among those arrested or under investigation. "We are concerned that they might find themselves in an online environment where they're encouraged or egged on to do something and don't understand what they're being asked to do," said Evans, adding they were less concerned that the children were ideologically motivated. Earlier this month, three men were convicted over an arson attack on Ukraine-linked businesses in London, which police said had been ordered by Russia's Wagner mercenary group. Their ringleader had earlier admitted plotting to kidnap a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, the head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 said that, since January 2022, there had been 20 Iran-backed plots to kidnap or kill British nationals or individuals based in Britain who Tehran regarded as a threat. "We know that they are continuing to try and sow violence on the streets of the United Kingdom, they too are to some extent relying on criminal proxies to do that," Murphy said of Iran.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Russia, Iran and China intensifying life-threatening operations in UK, police say
LONDON - Russia, Iran and China are behind a growing number of life-threatening operations in Britain including attacks and kidnappings, often deploying criminals and sometimes children as proxies, two senior British police officers said on Tuesday. The British authorities in recent years have repeatedly voiced concern at what they said was malign activity by the three states in Britain, ranging from traditional espionage and actions to undermine the state, to sabotage and assassinations. Those accusations have been rejected by Moscow, Beijing and Tehran, which say they are politically motivated. On Tuesday, the two British officers said told reporters there had been a fivefold increase in hostile state activity since the Novichok nerve agent poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2017, which London says was carried out by Russian spies. Dominic Murphy, who heads up London's Counter Terrorism Command, said the breadth, complexity and volume of hostile operations from Russia, Iran and China had grown at a rate neither they nor their international partners nor any intelligence community had predicted. "We are increasingly seeing these three states ... undertaking threat-to-life operations in the United Kingdom," he told reporters. In most instances, proxies, usually criminals acting quite often for small amounts of cash, were carrying out the states' work for them, said Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Singapore CDL's long-time director Phillip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years The proxies also included vulnerable people or those who felt disenfranchised, with those aged in their mid teens among those arrested or under investigation. "We are concerned that they might find themselves in an online environment where they're encouraged or egged on to do something and don't understand what they're being asked to do," said Evans, adding they were less concerned that the children were ideologically motivated. Earlier this month, three men were convicted over an arson attack on Ukraine-linked businesses in London, which police said had been ordered by Russia's Wagner mercenary group. Their ringleader had earlier admitted plotting to kidnap a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, the head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 said that, since January 2022, there had been 20 Iran-backed plots to kidnap or kill British nationals or individuals based in Britain who Tehran regarded as a threat. "We know that they are continuing to try and sow violence on the streets of the United Kingdom, they too are to some extent relying on criminal proxies to do that," Murphy said of Iran. REUTERS
Sunday World
09-07-2025
- Sunday World
Dealer who wanted to link Kinahans, IRA and Russia found guilty of warehouse attack
Dylan Earl orchestrated the arson attack on the Ukraine-linked facility on the orders of Russia's terrorist Wagner Group A 20-year-old drug dealer who had grand ambitions to 'build a link' between the IRA, the Kinahan Cartel and Russia, has been found guilty for his role in the burning down of a warehouse in London. Dylan Earl orchestrated the arson attack along with Gatwick airport cleaner Jake Reeves (23) on the Ukraine-linked facility on the orders of Russia's terrorist Wagner Group. Three men who acted as 'proxies' for Vladimir Putin's regime Ugnius Asmena, Nii Mensah and Jakeem Rose were tracked down after they set two units on fire in east London on March 20 last year. Apparently motivated by the lure of cash, Mensah (23) livestreamed on his phone as he and Rose (also 23) set fire to the industrial unit. Jake Reeves Meanwhile, a trial at the Old Bailey was told how fixer Asmena (20) waited in a car nearby as the warehouse in Leyton was targeted as it was being used to supply humanitarian aid and StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine. Earl and Reeves who had previously admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the terror group have become the first defendants to be convicted of acting as proxies for Wagner under the National Security Act 2023. Earl who has also admitted possessing cocaine and thousands of pounds in criminal cash had been plotting to kidnap the establishment's owner, the wealthy Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin. Mensah, Rose and Asmena have been found guilty of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life following an Old Bailey trial. Driver Paul English (61) was cleared of wrongdoing while Ashton Evans (20) was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts relating to the Mayfair plot. However, he was cleared of failing to tell authorities about the warehouse arson while Dmirjus Paulauskas (23) was also cleared of two similar offences relating to both terrorist plots. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, said the case clearly demonstrated how an organisation linked to the Russian state was using 'proxies', 'in this case British men, to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country on their behalf'. 'The ringleaders, Earl and Reeves, willingly acted as hostile agents on behalf of the Russian state,' he said. 'I am pleased that, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, we were able to use the new National Security Act legislation, which meant the severity of Earl and Reeves's offending was reflected in the charges they faced.' The arsonists recorded the attack on their phones Sixty firefighters from eight crews had to get the blaze under control, which had put members of the public 'at great risk' according to Murphy, and it was only by good fortune 'nobody was seriously injured or worse'. The commander added that those involved, 'seemingly motivated by the promise of money, were prepared to commit criminal acts on behalf of Russia'. He said: 'I hope these convictions send a strong warning of the very serious consequences of committing offences on behalf of a foreign country.' Both businesses in the damaged units were Ukrainian-owned. The Met's Counter Terrorism Command took over the investigation when it emerged that another warehouse linked to one of the companies had been subject to an arson attack in Madrid. The court was told how investigators gathered 'overwhelming' evidence linking the arsonists to the Leyton attack. The three arsonists who carried out the attack, Ugnius Asmena, Nii Mensah, and Jakeem Rose As Mr English drove the trio in his Kia Picanto through south London, which was covered by CCTV, they were tracked by phone data and traffic cameras. Rose and Mensah were also seen on footage getting out of the vehicle, and climbing over a wall as they approached the warehouses. Rose dropped a very large knife with his DNA on it, as they fled the scene, while Mensah later messaged Reeves to say he 'left his Rambo at the scene'. Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC said that while the arsonists were motivated by the promise of money, Earl and Reeves had been working on behalf of Russia. Earl had told a Wagner operative he met on Telegram he was keen to carry out a series of 'missions' and admitted preparing to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London. He also admitted to the kidnap plot of owner Mr Chichvarkin, described as a 'high-profile Russian dissident and refugee' who has been vocal in his criticism of Putin and the war in Ukraine. Dylan Earl Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 9th Reeves, from Croydon, south London, who was also prepared to accept money from a foreign intelligence service to target the Russian dissident had sent an unknown contact Mr Chichvarkin's name and said he would make an 'amazing target'. Earl's Wagner contact, named Privet Bot, instructed him to watch the period drama The Americans and use it as a 'manual' for his covert mission. Set during the Cold War, the television series is about two KGB agents posing as Americans in Washington DC to spy on the American government. Drug dealer Earl also appeared to brag in further chats with Privet Bot that he had criminal connections and could 'sort' an introduction to the IRA and Kinahan Irish organised crime group. He was arrested in a B&Q car park in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and videos of the warehouse fire being started were found on his iPhone. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said the convicted defendants would be sentenced on a date to be fixed in the autumn.
