Russian state-backed campaign targeted UK PM Starmer with arson, propaganda, and social division using proxies and fake extremist groups.

BBC investigation reveals a Russian state-backed hybrid warfare campaign targeting UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer through arson attacks, propaganda, and division tactics. The arson attacks were conducted by Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc, convicted at the Old Bailey for conspiring to commit arson against property linked to Starmer. The operatives were directed by an anonymous handler known as 'EL', identified by the BBC as Evgeny Lyukshin, a young Russian diplomat and son of a senior official, schooled in information warfare and close to top Kremlin figures. Russian operatives created fake far-right and Muslim extremist groups like Direct Action UK and the Takbir Foundation to incite vandalism, Islamophobic attacks, and social division, offering payments for criminal acts including arson and graffiti on mosques and political targets. These efforts involved social media and Telegram apps, spreading disinformation, glorifying Putin, and promoting hateful narratives. Despite UK police investigation, the direct state-backed link was not formally proven in court, but UK and Ukrainian authorities privately concluded Russia's involvement. The campaign fits a pattern of Russian sabotage operations across Europe, using proxies, social media influence, and hybrid tactics to destabilize allied nations.