Two British men were recruited by Russia's Wagner Group to firebomb a Mayfair restaurant and kidnap its owner after carrying out a £1million arson attack on a warehouse with equipment bound for Ukraine, a court heard yesterday
The terrorist group conducting a sabotage campaign on behalf of Russian intelligence is said to have recruited two men to set fire to a warehouse in Leyton, East London, destroying over £100,000 worth of equipment, including generators and vital Starlink satellite equipment destined for Ukraine.
The Old Bailey heard that the blaze at 11.40pm on March 20 last year was livestreamed on Facetime to the 'architect' of the plot who then reported back to the Russians on the success of the 'mission'.
The attack was orchestrated by Jake Reeves, 23, and Dylan Earl, 20, from Leicestershire who went on to plan an arson attack on a restaurant and wine business in Mayfair by kidnapping the owner of the businesses.
The owner of the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines, which were valued at over £30million and employed 200 people, was described as a 'high profile dissident' and 'refugee' who was open about his criticism of Putin, the court heard.
