Ukrainian guilty of vandalism at mosques linked to Russian network behind Starmer arson attack

Ukrainian man Illia Bilyk, 21, has pleaded guilty to five counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage for spraying abusive graffiti on mosques and a primary school in east London. The incidents occurred on 23 January and 25 January 2025, targeting the Stratford Islamic Association, Al-Birr Mosque, Leyton Jamia Masjid, and Noor Ul Islam Primary School.

Bilyk claimed he was recruited by a Russian speaker on Telegram to target these locations, which he was instructed to spray with graffiti. He received payment for his actions. The BBC has uncovered evidence that Russia was behind the arson attacks against Sir Keir Starmer's property and had been responsible for Islamophobic vandalism throughout the city.

The organized sabotage campaign was run remotely through social media and Telegram by a Russian operative known as EL, who was central to promoting the fake far-right group Direct Action UK. EL, who was also implicated in the arson plots, was a Russian diplomat trained in information warfare by senior Russian spies. Bilyk's sentencing is scheduled for 19 October at Stratford Magistrates Court.

The Met Police emphasized that these incidents caused significant distress in Muslim communities and reiterated their commitment to tackling hate crime.