Structures linked to Russia or its special services are increasingly recruiting young people abroad to carry out terrorist attacks and sabotage in Russia’s interests, often using these mercenaries “in the dark.” The scope of such sabotage over the past few years spans a wide geography, from London to the Baltic states.
In March 2024, a major fire broke out at a warehouse in London storing equipment for the Starlink satellite internet service, owned by a Ukrainian businessman connected to aid deliveries to Kyiv.
Shortly after the incident, British investigators found evidence pointing to Russia’s involvement. In July 2025, it was officially confirmed that five young UK residents, including 20-year-old Lithuanian Ugnius Ashmyana, had committed the arson on orders from the Russian private military company PMC Wagner.
The group reportedly planned more than just the Starlink warehouse attack. They also intended to set fire to a restaurant and wine store owned by Russian businessman Yevgeny Chichvarkin, an outspoken Kremlin opponent who supports Ukraine. Investigators say the group was ordered to kidnap and kill the entrepreneur.
This is not an isolated case in recent months where amateur operatives, rather than professional intelligence officers, have been used in sabotage missions benefiting Russia across Europe. Dominic Murphy, head of London’s anti-terrorist police, notes a pattern: after the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, it became harder for Russian intelligence to deploy agents in the UK, leading to increased reliance on amateur mercenaries.
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