BBC investigation reveals Russia orchestrated arson and sabotage attacks targeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and fomented division in the UK through fake far-right and Muslim groups online, linked to a young Russian diplomat Evgeny Lyukshin.

An extensive campaign of arson attacks and sabotage targeting UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's properties has been uncovered by the BBC as orchestrated by Russian operatives. Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian convicted of conspiring to commit arson, was directed by an anonymous handler known as 'EL', who offered Russian citizenship and payment for attacks. Evidence points to 'EL' being Evgeny Lyukshin, a 23-year-old Russian diplomat trained in information warfare and closely connected to Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and propaganda groups like Rybar. The campaign included fake far-right group Direct Action UK and bogus Islamic organisation Takbir Foundation, which incited hatred, division, Islamophobic vandalism, and coordinated violence via Telegram and social media. The Russian embassy denied involvement, while UK and Ukrainian authorities privately concluded Russian state backing. The operation used Ukrainians as proxies, masked motives, and spread disinformation amplified by far-right figures like Tommy Robinson. Investigations by counter-terrorism and anti-racism groups highlight serious threats to UK security and societal cohesion posed by sophisticated Russian hybrid warfare efforts.