U.K. man charged with “Russia-backed arson” attack on Ukraine-linked site in London

A 20-year-old British man has been charged with masterminding an arson plot against a Ukrainian-linked target in London for the benefit of the Russian state, prosecutors said on Friday.

“Included in the alleged activity was involvement in the planning of an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in March 2024,” the Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement.

Court documents allege that suspect Dylan Earl, from Leicestershire in central England, was connected to the proscribed terrorist group the Wagner Group, the U.K.’s domestic Press Association news agency reported.

He is accused of organizing and paying for an arson attack on two units on an industrial estate in Leyton, east London, on March 20, which required 60 firefighters to bring under control. A photo posted on social media by the London Fire Brigade on the day showed several storage or warehouse units with fire damage.

Read more: CBS News