Ukrainian admits spraying Islamophobic graffiti on east London mosques

Illia Bilyk, 21, pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates’ Court to five counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage after spraying abusive graffiti on multiple east London Islamic sites on 23 January 2025 and 25 January 2025, the court heard.

Bilyk admitted targeting the Stratford Islamic Association, Al-Birr Mosque and Leyton Jamia Masjid on 23 January, and Noor Ul Islam Primary School and the Islamic Shariah Council two days later.

According to police accounts referenced at the hearing, Bilyk told officers he had been recruited via the messaging app Telegram by a Russian speaker who directed him where to spray the graffiti and paid him afterwards.

An earlier BBC and Hope not Hate investigation linked a wider campaign of arson and Islamophobic vandalism in London to a Russia-linked network. That inquiry identified operatives who organised a fake far-right group called Direct Action UK and an anonymous handler known by the initials EL, who posted in Telegram groups offering money for images of vandalised buildings.

The BBC also named a Russian diplomat, Evgeny Lyukshin, as a participant in the Direct Action UK chats; investigators reported his background included training in information warfare. Lyukshin did not respond to approaches for comment.

Bilyk is due to be sentenced on 19 October at Stratford Magistrates’ Court. Chief Superintendent Rhona Hunt of the Metropolitan Police said the incidents caused significant distress within Muslim communities across east London and affirmed the force’s commitment to tackling hate crime and supporting affected communities.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The guilty plea confirms that the east London mosque vandalism in January 2025 was carried out by an individual who acknowledged recruitment and direction via Telegram by a Russian speaker, consistent with patterns highlighted in the BBC and Hope not Hate investigation identifying a coordinated campaign and the involvement of a handler known as EL.

The case will proceed to sentencing on 19 October at Stratford Magistrates’ Court, preserving the court timeline described in the source material.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Illia Bilyk, 21, pleaded guilty to five counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage.
• Graffiti was sprayed on three mosques and two Islamic institutions on 23 and 25 January 2025.
• Bilyk said he was recruited and directed via Telegram by a Russian speaker and was paid for the attacks; sentencing is set for 19 October at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.