Six men appeared in court on Wednesday, accused of carrying out an arson attack in London allegedly orchestrated by Russia’s Wagner mercenary group. Prosecutors claim the attack targeted
a business aiding Ukraine in its war effort.
The incident took place in March 2023 at a warehouse on an industrial estate in east London. The facility belonged to Oddisey, a logistics company that shipped humanitarian aid and equipment—including Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite gear—to Ukraine. The blaze severely damaged the property.
Paul English, 61, Nii Kojo Mensah, 23, Jakeem Rose, 23, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, are charged with aggravated arson and have pleaded not guilty. Two others, Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 23, and Ashton Evans, 20, deny knowing about the planned attack or failing to report it.
Prosecutor Duncan Penny, speaking at the Old Bailey, described the attack as an act of “criminality at the behest of foreign influence,” stating it was coordinated by Dylan Earl, who was “knowingly acting” on behalf of the Wagner Group—designated a terrorist organization by the UK.
Earl previously pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and to charges under the UK’s new National Security Act (NSA), which targets threats from foreign states. According to the prosecution, Earl saw the warehouse fire as the first of several “missions” intended to harm Ukraine’s interests while aiding Russia.
Another man, Jake Reeves, 23, has also pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and to accepting payment from Wagner, allegedly via Russian intelligence agencies.
The court heard that Earl and Reeves were planning further attacks, including on high-end venues such as the Hedonism wine store and Hide restaurant in London’s Mayfair, both owned by a prominent Russian dissident who has publicly opposed President Vladimir Putin and supported Ukraine with direct aid deliveries. The prosecution revealed that the plot even involved a plan to kidnap the dissident and deliver him to Russia.
Messages shown in court included Earl stating that the dissident should be brought to him to be “exhiled [sic] to Russia to face prison.”
British intelligence agencies have linked Russia to several sabotage and espionage operations in recent years, a trend echoed in this case. The Russian embassy in London has dismissed all such allegations, accusing the UK of blaming Russia for any negative event.
Once a central force in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, the Wagner group lost prominence after its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin led a failed mutiny in 2023. Prosecutors argue that Wagner's remaining operations, including covert actions in Europe, are now directly controlled by the Russian state.
Penny told the jury that while the accused may not have been politically motivated, they were likely driven by financial incentives. The warehouse fire caused damages exceeding £1 million ($1.36 million), sparking a substantial insurance claim.
Evidence presented includes incriminating messages and video footage allegedly showing the men traveling to the warehouse and igniting the fire using petrol.
The trial is expected to last up to five weeks. Photo by Corbeau News Centrafrique, Wikimedia commons.