Trial Begins for Six Accused of Arson Tied to Wagner Groups Alleged Influence in London

On Wednesday, six men faced trial for an arson attack that prosecutors allege was executed on behalf of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group against a business in London that was engaged in shipping supplies to Ukraine.

The blaze, which occurred in March of the previous year, destroyed warehouse units in an industrial area of east London. These units belonged to Oddisey, a company that transported packages and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including satellite equipment from Elon Musk’s Starlink. Russia commenced a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The defendants—Paul English, 61; Nii Kojo Mensah, 23; Jakeem Rose, 23; and Ugnius Asmena, 20—have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated arson. Meanwhile, Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 23, and Ashton Evans, 20, admit to knowing about terrorist-related activities but did not report them.

Prosecutor Duncan Penny explained in court at London’s Old Bailey that the arson incident represented a criminal act «at the behest of foreign influence.»

He asserted that the operation was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, who was «knowingly acting under the orders of the Wagner Group,» an organization designated as a terrorist group by the UK.

Last October, Earl confessed to the charge of aggravated arson and also accepted responsibility under the National Security Act (NSA) for preparing acts that put lives in danger, legislation intended to curb hostile actions by foreign entities.

“Dylan Earl appeared to show a readiness to engage in ‘missions,’ with the Leyton arson as the initial act. It is clear that he recognized he was acting against Ukrainian interests while supporting Russian ones,” Penny stated.

Another individual, Jake Reeves, 23, pleaded guilty in November to aggravated arson charges and acknowledged a violation under the NSA for receiving a material benefit from a foreign intelligence body, which indicated he accepted funds from Wagner that were facilitated by Russian intelligence, according to Penny.

Penny further revealed that Earl and Reeves were involved in a scheme to carry out arson on the Hedonism wine shop and Hider restaurant located in the upscale Mayfair neighborhood of London, with a combined value of over 30 million pounds ($40.7 million).

The prosecution claimed the plot also included plans to kidnap the owner, a prominent Russian dissident and outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, who had personally transported aid trucks from the UK to Ukraine.

In communications between the two men presented in court, Earl instructed that the target be brought to him so that he could be «exiled to Russia to face imprisonment.»

In recent years, British officials have accused Russia or its agents of orchestrating various espionage plots and acts of sabotage in the UK and throughout Europe. The head of the UK’s domestic intelligence service noted that Russian operatives aim to create «chaos.»

The Kremlin has refuted these allegations, with its London embassy denying any involvement in the warehouse fire and asserting that the British government routinely attributes any «negative» events to Russia.

Wagner played a significant role in the initial phase of Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine before its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led a brief rebellion against Russia’s military leadership in 2023.

Prosecutor Penny indicated that the jury would examine expert testimony suggesting that the activities of Wagner, which included acts of sabotage in Europe, are now directly ordered by the Russian government.

He mentioned to the court that the six accused might have been unaware of the political implications of their actions and driven more by greed, as the warehouse fire resulted in an insurance claim exceeding 1 million pounds ($1.36 million).

The jury reviewed communications among the defendants, which Penny claimed demonstrated their involvement, alongside security camera footage and recordings from their phones that showed them traveling to the warehouse and igniting the fire with gasoline.

The trial is expected to last for up to five weeks and is ongoing.