A homeless man has admitted to being present at the scene of a significant arson attack on a warehouse in Leyton, east London, but told jurors he was unaware of the fire’s connection to “Russian terrorism” at the time. The Old Bailey heard that the blaze, which caused around £1 million in damage, targeted a building used by a company sending humanitarian aid and StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine in support of the war effort.

The attack, which took place on March 20 last year, was allegedly orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, who have both admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group, a private Russian mercenary unit designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK government, as well as offences under the National Security Act. Jurors were told that Earl and Reeves recruited a group of men to carry out the fire as part of a series of planned missions for the Wagner Group.

Among those accused are Paul English, 61, who allegedly drove a Kia Picanto to the warehouse with Jakeem Rose, 23, Nii Mensah, 23, and Ugnius Asmena, 20. Mensah and Rose were captured on CCTV and livestreamed video setting the warehouse ablaze before fleeing the scene, according to the prosecution. Asmena, who has no fixed address and described himself as sofa surfing, gave evidence stating that he only discovered the fire’s connection to Russian terrorism weeks later after researching online. He claimed he had been offered £500 in cash to accompany English but insisted he did not know the full extent of what was planned, having been told only to open car doors silently and not speak afterwards.

During the trial, Asmena admitted to lying in his first police interview, denying he was at the scene and claiming he was with his mother. He explained to the court that he became scared upon realising the fire was linked to national security and terrorist groups, which made him fearful of admitting involvement. However, under cross-examination, he denied playing any part in recruiting English or handing over money, and claimed he believed those involved might have been planning to steal a car when they filled a jerry can at a petrol station en route to Leyton.

The trial also involves other accused individuals, including Ashton Evans, 20, and Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, charged with withholding information about terrorist activities, which they deny. Earl and Reeves have also admitted to conspiracy to set fire to two other London businesses in Mayfair linked to a Russian dissident supporting Ukraine, and a plot to kidnap their owner on behalf of the Wagner Group.

The attack on the Leyton warehouse attracted significant attention given the role of the targeted business in supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine. StarLink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been declared the communications backbone for the Ukrainian military, providing vital internet coverage especially where traditional infrastructure is compromised amid the war. Musk has highlighted the importance of StarLink in sustaining the frontline, while Ukrainian authorities have stated concerns that Russian forces have also been using StarLink terminals in occupied regions of Ukraine, complicating the conflict and raising questions about technology use and control in warfare.

Prosecutors allege that the conspirators were motivated by a mixture of financial gain and ideological reasons, with the arson part of broader Russian efforts to destabilise UK support for Ukraine. The extensive case evidence includes CCTV footage, mobile phone records, and digital communications, underpinning the prosecution's claims of a coordinated terrorist campaign.

The Old Bailey trial continues as the court examines the full scope of the alleged plots and the individuals’ roles in what is described as an unprecedented attack linked to the Wagner Group on British soil.

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Source: Noah Wire Services