Latest news with #UkrainianNationals
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russia recruiting Ukrainians for illegal activities in Europe, Ukrainian intel warns
Russian intelligence services are actively attempting to recruit Ukrainian nationals for illegal operations across the European Union, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said on June 2. In a statement, the agency warned that Kremlin-linked operatives are offering money to vulnerable Ukrainians, particularly those from Russian-occupied territories, to conduct surveillance of critical infrastructure and carry out other tasks for the benefit of the Russian state. "The recruitment of Ukrainians for hostile operations in Europe is yet another tool of hybrid aggression that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine and the entire European community," the agency said. The intelligence agency urged Ukrainian citizens abroad to immediately report any contact with suspicious individuals to local law enforcement or Ukrainian diplomatic missions. The warning comes amid a growing number of suspected Russian-directed sabotage and arson plots across Europe involving Ukrainian nationals. British security officials are currently investigating possible Russian involvement in a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Financial Times reported on May 23. The incidents include fires at Starmer's family home, a vehicle, and a former residence in London earlier this month. Three men — Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, and Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc — have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Prosecutors allege they acted in coordination with unknown individuals, and U.K. authorities are examining whether Russian agents may have recruited them. German authorities have also accused three Ukrainian nationals of being involved in a Russian-orchestrated parcel bomb plot, according to Der Spiegel. The suspects were arrested in May during coordinated raids in Germany and Switzerland. In a separate case on May 12, Poland charged two Ukrainians in connection with suspected Russian-backed arson attacks at an IKEA store in Vilnius and a shopping mall in Warsaw in 2024. Additionally, Russian intelligence is believed to be behind a July 2024 fire at a DHL airport logistics hub in Leipzig, Germany. Investigators said a flammable package sent from Lithuania was marked for delivery to a fake address in Birmingham, U.K. Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of using covert sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation as part of its broader campaign to destabilize European nations that support Ukraine during the Russian large-scale war. The Ukrainian intelligence agency emphasized that such operations rely on exploiting desperate individuals and weaponizing them against host countries. It called on European governments to remain vigilant and closely coordinate with Ukrainian security services. Read also: As Trump fails to sanction Moscow, few expect breakthrough during upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kremlin denies connection to arson attack on British prime minister's home
The Kremlin is denying involvement in an arson attack on the private home of United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying any accusation has no grounds. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a Financial Times report that U.K. officials are investigating the possibility that Russia is often a target of blame but that it should be met with presumed skepticism. 'London tends to suspect Russia of anything bad that happens in the U.K.,' Peskov told reporters at his regular press briefing Monday. 'As a rule, all these suspicions are groundless, unsubstantiated and often laughable.' Three men have been charged in connection with the arsons that took place over the course of three nights between May 8 and May 12. The fires happened at Starmer's personal home, a property he once lived in and a car he sold. Two of the men are Ukrainian nationals, while one is a Ukrainian-born Romanian national. All of the suspects have been ordered to be detained until a joint hearing occurs at London's Central Criminal Court on June 6. No one was injured in the fires. Starmer and his family moved out of their personal home in July after he was elected as prime minister, and he's lived since at the prime minister's official residence at No. 10 Downing St. The Financial Times reported that U.K. officials are looking into whether Russian actors may have recruited the three suspects to commit the arsons, and discussions are happening to determine how to respond if it is true. But the outlet also reported that counterterrorism police are keeping an open mind about the investigation and what the motive may be. A prosecutor has said they don't have an explanation for the incidents. But Western officials have accused Russia of sabotage since it began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Associated Press documented in March nearly 60 incidents in which Western officials blamed Russia, its ally Belarus or groups with ties to Russia of cyberattacks, propaganda, and of planning killings or conducting acts of vandalism, arson, sabotage or espionage. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Kremlin denies Russian links to Starmer firebomb attacks
The Kremlin has denied any involvement in a series of arson attacks on properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer earlier this month. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said the UK routinely blamed Russia for incidents on its territory, calling the suggestion that Moscow had ordered the attacks 'ridiculous'. 'London is inclined to suspect Russia of involvement in all the bad things that happen in Britain,' he said. 'As a rule, these suspicions are false, unsubstantiated and often ridiculous.' British police have not officially named Russia in connection with the crimes, which involved arson attacks on two properties and a car linked to the Prime Minister. However, the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit is reportedly investigating possible Russian involvement. According to the Financial Times, the British Government is considering how to respond if evidence emerges that Russian actors commissioned the attacks. Three men, two Ukrainian nationals and one Romanian citizen, have been arrested in connection with the incidents. The targets included a house owned by Sir Keir, as well as a car and a flat he had previously owned. Police suspect the trio acted in cooperation with 'others unknown'. At present, the investigation is being treated as a criminal matter rather than a national security case, suggesting authorities are not yet viewing it as a direct act of foreign sabotage. Sir Keir has described the attacks as ' an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values we stand for'. The incidents began on May 8 with the firebombing of a car the Prime Minister once owned, still parked near his former home. Three days later, a property he owned in the 1990s was targeted. The following evening, an incendiary device was thrown at the entrance of his family home in Kentish Town, north London. Since moving into Downing Street last summer, Sir Keir has rented the Kentish Town property to his sister-in-law. The three suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. All have been remanded in custody until a joint hearing at London's Central Criminal Court on June 6. 'Going a bit feral' European intelligence agencies have warned that Russia is ramping up hybrid warfare tactics against Ukraine's Western allies. Richard Moore, the head of MI6, has accused Moscow's intelligence services of 'going a bit feral' after several infrastructure attacks were linked to Russia. Last year, arsonists set fire to a London warehouse owned by a Ukrainian business. Two British men admitted involvement. One pleaded guilty to accepting money from a foreign intelligence service. In Poland, authorities shut down the Russian consulate in Krakow this month after finding evidence linking Moscow to a blaze at a Warsaw shopping centre in May last year.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK probes possible Russian involvement in arson attacks targeting PM Starmer, FT reports
British security officials are investigating potential Russian involvement in a series of arson attacks on properties linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Financial Times reported on May 23, citing senior U.K. government sources. Three separate incidents occurred earlier this month, targeting Starmer's family home in Kentish Town, north London, a car, and a former residence. Two Ukrainian nationals, Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok, and a Romanian national, Stanislav Carpiuc, have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Prosecutors allege the men acted in cooperation with other unknown suspects. All three are in custody and are scheduled to appear in court on June 6, the Financial Times reports. According to senior officials, U.K. investigators are examining whether Russian actors may have recruited the suspects. Authorities are reportedly assessing potential responses should evidence of Russian involvement emerge. The British counter-terrorist police and prosecutors said the exact motive remains unclear, the Financial Times reported. Western intelligence officials have warned about increasing Russian sabotage operations across Europe. Arson attacks have previously targeted other EU countries, raising suspicions of a coordinated Russian effort to destabilize the countries that support Ukraine against Russian aggression. Recently, German authorities have accused three Ukrainian nationals of an alleged Russia-orchestrated plot of aggravated arson and bombing attacks on behalf of Russian authorities. Poland also accused two other Ukrainian nationals of being involved in suspected arson attacks believed to be backed by Russia. The incidents took place in 2024 at an IKEA store in Vilnius and a shopping center in Warsaw. Read also: UK accuses Russian GRU of carrying out cyberattacks targeting logistics, technology organizations We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Asharq Al-Awsat
14-05-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Germany Arrests 3 Ukrainians Suspected of Spying in Exploding Parcel Plot
Germany has arrested three Ukrainian nationals on suspicion of foreign agent activity linked to the shipment of parcels containing explosive devices, prosecutors said on Wednesday. The suspects are believed to have been in contact with individuals working for Russian state institutions, Reuters quoted federal prosecutors as saying in a statement. Two of the men, identified in line with German privacy laws only as Vladyslav T. and Daniil B., were arrested over the weekend in Germany. Another, identified as Yevhen B., was arrested on Tuesday in Switzerland. "The defendants are strongly suspected of acting as agents for the purpose of sabotage," the statement said, accusing them of agreeing to commit serious arson and procure explosives. German authorities warned businesses in August last year that packages containing incendiary devices had caught fire en route across Europe. Logistics firm DHL took measures to protect its network following several fires at a warehouse in Leipzig.
