British Trio Convicted in Arson Attack on Starlink Warehouse Linked to Russian Operatives

In a significant ruling at London’s Old Bailey court, three British men—Nii Kojo Mensah (23), Jakeem Barrington Rose (23), and Ugnius Asmena (20)—were found guilty of aggravated arson on Tuesday, following an attack on a Starlink warehouse in Leyton, east London, in March 2024.

The blaze destroyed over £100,000 worth of critical satellite equipment owned by Elon Musk’s Starlink, intended for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. The trio denied the charges but was convicted after nearly 22 hours of jury deliberation.

The arson attack, orchestrated by Dylan Earl (20) and Jake Reeves (23), was reportedly directed by Russian operatives linked to the Wagner Group. Earl and Reeves, who admitted to aggravated arson, became the first individuals convicted under the National Security Act 2023.

The group livestreamed the warehouse fire via FaceTime to a British recruiter, who shared the footage with Russian contacts, set to music. The men were also implicated in a plot to target a Mayfair restaurant and wine dealership owned by Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin, a former mobile phone entrepreneur who fled Russia after criticizing the regime. Plans to kidnap Chichvarkin, known for aiding Ukraine, were also uncovered.

A fourth suspect, Paul English (61), was acquitted, while Ashton Evans (20) was convicted on one count of failing to disclose knowledge of terrorist acts, and Dmitrijus Paulauskas (23) was cleared of similar charges.

UK authorities have increasingly pointed to Russian involvement in espionage and sabotage across Europe, with British intelligence highlighting efforts to cause disruption. The Kremlin and its London embassy have denied any role in the attack, dismissing claims as baseless accusations.

This case underscores growing concerns over foreign interference and national security threats in the UK, with Starlink’s critical role in global communications making it a high-profile target.