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🇵🇹 Portugal /Conflict & Security

UK youths lured into online 'proxy wars' for Russia and Iran

From Público · () Portuguese

Translated from Portuguese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • A 22-year-old Ukrainian man was convicted in London for arson with intent to endanger life, part of a growing trend of young individuals being lured into serious crimes online.
  • Authorities believe Russia and Iran are using "proxy war" tactics, recruiting vulnerable youth via social media for acts of vandalism and intimidation, allowing governments to deny involvement.
  • The strategy is seen as a response to expulsions of Russian agents and a way to sow unrest, with similar tactics observed in Ukraine where minors are increasingly involved in offenses.

A growing number of young people are being recruited online to commit serious crimes in the UK, acting as proxies for shadowy figures linked to hostile states. The latest case involves Roman Lavrynovych, a 22-year-old Ukrainian national, who was convicted for attempting to carry out incendiary attacks on properties connected to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

I hope to have the opportunity to shake your hand soon... Stay in touch.

— Roman LavrynovychLavrynovych's text message to his online contact 'EL Money' before his arrest.

Lavrynovych, who communicated with an online contact known as "EL Money" for instructions, was arrested shortly after midnight on May 13, 2025. He has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life. His conviction highlights a disturbing trend where individuals, often young and sometimes minors, are lured through social media into committing acts of vandalism and intimidation. Many receive little or no payment for these crimes, according to authorities.

Helen Flanagan, head of London's counter-terrorism unit, stated that the mission assigned to Lavrynovych was clearly intended to intimidate the Prime Minister and attack the UK. She noted that the perpetrators often lack knowledge of their targets or motives, acting primarily in pursuit of quick money. This tactic, known as a "proxy war," allows hostile governments to deny direct involvement.

It is evident that the mission assigned was to intimidate the prime minister and attack the United Kingdom.

— Helen FlanaganHelen Flanagan, head of London's counter-terrorism unit, commented on the nature of the crimes committed by recruited individuals.

While Russia has been a recurring user of this strategy, particularly in Ukraine where minors constitute a significant portion of those accused of arson and sabotage, Iran is now also accused of employing similar methods. Both Moscow and Tehran deny these allegations. British authorities view this strategy as a means to sow agitation and division, especially after the expulsion of numerous Russian agents following the 2018 Salisbury poisoning incident. The UK's investigation into that event, and the earlier poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006, concluded that Russian state actors were responsible.

Nothing indicates that they knew who they were attacking or why. In fact, it was an attempt to make money quickly.

— Helen FlanaganHelen Flanagan described the lack of specific knowledge and motivation among those recruited for criminal acts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Público in Portuguese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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