Ukrainian Man Pleads Guilty to Mosque Vandalism Linked to Russian Network
Illia Bilyk admits to spray-painting mosques and a school in London, actions connected to a Russian-orchestrated campaign that also targeted figures like Sir Keir Starmer.
A 21-year-old Ukrainian national, Illia Bilyk, has pleaded guilty to five counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage for vandalism at mosques and a school in east London. The incidents, which occurred on January 23 and 25, 2025, targeted the Stratford Islamic Association, Al-Birr Mosque, Leyton Jamia Masjid, Noor Ul Islam Primary School, and the Islamic Shariah Council.
Bilyk informed police that he was recruited for the vandalism by a Russian speaker via the messaging app Telegram, which provided instructions and payment for the acts. This revelation links the London vandalism to a broader Russian-state-backed network.
Earlier in 2025, two other Ukrainians, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc, were sentenced for their involvement in arson attacks targeting property and a vehicle connected to former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Investigations revealed that the Russian state was behind these attacks and had also orchestrated Islamophobic vandalism across London, including at the same east London venues Bilyk vandalized.
Lavrynovych, who admitted to setting fires at Sir Keir Starmer's property, also pleaded guilty to spraying Islamophobic graffiti. He stated that he was recruited through Telegram and offered money by an anonymous handler, identified by the initials EL, for both the graffiti and the arson. EL has been identified as a Russian operative who managed a wide-ranging sabotage and provocation campaign remotely.
EL was instrumental in operating a fake far-right group called Direct Action UK, established by Russian operatives to incite vandalism in Britain, including the mosque attacks. Following Bilyk's vandalism in January 2025, images of the defaced locations were circulated within a Direct Action Telegram group.
Further investigation by the BBC and Hope not Hate identified a Russian diplomat, Evgeny Lyukshin, as being part of the Direct Action UK chat group. Lyukshin, who reportedly received training in "information warfare" from senior Russian intelligence officers, matches the details of EL. Lyukshin has not responded to requests for comment.
Bilyk is scheduled for sentencing on October 19 at Stratford Magistrates' Court. Chief Superintendent Rhona Hunt of the Metropolitan Police acknowledged the distress caused to Muslim communities and reiterated a commitment to combating hate crime and Islamophobia in London.