Ukrainian Vandalism Linked to Russian Network
Illia Bilyk, 21, admitted to spraying anti‑Islamic graffiti on several London mosques and schools. Police say the attacks were ordered by a Russian operative via Telegram, linking the case to a broader Russian‑sponsored sabotage campaign that also targeted former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Bi…
By Felo News Desk · Published
In a case that underscores the reach of Russian‑backed propaganda campaigns, a 21‑year‑old Ukrainian national has pleaded guilty to a series of racially and religiously aggravated vandalism offences in east London. The charges involve spray‑painted anti‑Islamic graffiti on three mosques, a primary school and a Shariah council, all of which were carried out in January 2025.
Who is Illia Bilyk and what did he do?
Illia Bilyk, a Ukrainian citizen, entered a guilty plea at Thames Magistrates’ Court on five counts of criminal damage. The offences were committed against the Stratford Islamic Association, Al‑Birr Mosque, Leyton Jamia Masjid, Noor Ul Islam Primary School and the Islamic Shariah Council. The graffiti was explicitly anti‑Islamic, featuring slurs and hateful imagery that targeted the Muslim community in east London.
How the attacks were orchestrated
Bilyk told police that he was approached on the messaging app Telegram by a Russian‑speaking individual who instructed him on which sites to target. The alleged recruiter promised payment after the work was completed. This recruitment method mirrors tactics used by a Russian state network that has been linked to a series of arson attacks against property connected to former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Earlier this year, two other Ukrainians – Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc – were jailed for conspiring to set fire to a property and a car associated with Starmer. Investigations by the BBC and the charity Hope not Hate revealed that Russian operatives were behind those arson plots and had also been responsible for a broader campaign of Islamophobic vandalism across London.
The Russian “Direct Action UK” network
Central to the operation was a Russian operative known only by the initials EL. EL ran a fake far‑right group called Direct Action UK, which was used to coordinate and encourage acts of vandalism on British streets. The group operated through social media and Telegram, sharing images of completed graffiti and offering financial incentives to participants.
After Bilyk completed the mosque attacks, images of the vandalism were posted in a Direct Action Telegram group. Within hours, EL posted in a Ukrainian job‑search group offering money for photographs of buildings in the area, effectively turning the vandalism into a paid propaganda exercise.
Links to Russian diplomatic circles
The BBC investigation identified a Russian diplomat, Evgeny Lyukshin, as a member of the Direct Action UK chat group. Lyukshin had received training in “information warfare” from senior Russian spies, and his details matched those of the anonymous handler EL. Despite attempts to contact him, Lyukshin did not respond to the BBC’s inquiries.
Community impact and police response
Chief Superintendent Rhona Hunt of the Metropolitan Police said the incidents caused significant distress within Muslim communities across east London. “Anti‑Muslim hate crime and Islamophobia have absolutely no place in London,” she said. “We are committed to tackling hate crime while supporting and reassuring our communities.”
The Metropolitan Police have intensified their focus on hate crimes linked to foreign interference, warning that such attacks are part of a broader strategy to sow division and fear among minority communities.
What happens next?
Bilyk is scheduled to appear before Stratford Magistrates’ Court on 19 October for sentencing. While the exact penalty has not yet been announced, the court will consider the aggravating factors of racial and religious hatred in determining the outcome.
Meanwhile, investigators continue to probe the extent of the Russian‑backed network’s activities in the UK, with particular attention to the links between the mosque vandalism and the arson attacks on Starmer’s property.
For now, the case serves as a stark reminder of how foreign actors can exploit domestic tensions, using social media platforms to coordinate hate‑filled acts that undermine community cohesion and national security.
Key facts
- Ukrainian Bilyk pled guilty to mosque graffiti linked to Russian network
- Russian operative EL ran fake far‑right group Direct Action UK
- The attacks are part of a broader Russian sabotage campaign targeting Starmer’s property
- Metropolitan Police emphasise zero tolerance for hate crime
- Investigation reveals ties to Russian diplomat Evgeny Lyukshin
Why it matters
The case illustrates how state‑backed actors can weaponise hate crime to destabilise communities and influence domestic politics, highlighting the need for robust counter‑interference measures.
Frequently asked questions
What is Direct Action UK?
A fake far‑right group created by Russian operatives to coordinate acts of vandalism and spread hate propaganda on UK streets.
How was Bilyk recruited?
He was approached on Telegram by a Russian speaker who instructed him on targets and promised payment.
What is the current status of the case?
Bilyk pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on 19 October at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.
Sources
- [1] bbc.co.uk — originally reported as “Ukrainian guilty of vandalism at mosques linked to Russian network behind Starmer arson attack”
