A network of Telegram channels with connections to Russia is reportedly encouraging violent attacks on mosques and Muslims in the UK, offering cryptocurrency in return. These channels have been linked to real-world events, including incidents of Islamophobic graffiti on mosques and schools, and are under investigation by the police.
The group has shared documents containing bomb-making recipes and designs for 3D-printed weapons, and have even displayed posters on British streets with QR codes leading to their channels and associated TikTok accounts. There is growing concern due to a recent change in the group’s language, now explicitly advocating for knife attacks.
Hope Not Hate, a campaign group against hate, has shared a dossier with counter-terrorism police and the Home Office, warning of a significant threat posed by this network. The Community Security Trust and Tell Mama, organizations that monitor anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate crimes, respectively, have also raised concerns about the network’s Russian links.
Concerns about the rise in Islamophobic assaults have intensified, with a fake bomb left outside a mosque in London last week. The rise in Islamophobic attacks, which increased by 73% in 2024, and the grooming of individuals for violence have raised fears. The MI5 chief, Ken McCallum, has warned about Russia’s attempts to create chaos on British and European streets.
Gregory Davis of Hope Not Hate states that the channel operators are likely recruiting individuals to carry out terrorist acts, while Labour MP Stella Creasy highlights the seriousness of foreign interference and the potential harm to residents. East London MP Calvin Bailey warns that Leighton and Wanstead communities may have already been affected.
Iman Atta, director of Tell Mama, has reported the Telegram channels to the police, noting a sense of unease and concern for safety, particularly with Ramadan approaching. Evidence includes language settings and time zones typical of Russia and Belarus, Cyrillic script in messages, and posts in pro-Putin and anti-Ukraine Telegram chats.
The network’s members have discussed mass Quran burnings, shared videos of violent attacks, and offered cryptocurrency for graffiti and other acts of destruction. They invite British citizens to contact them privately using messaging bots. The Home Office affirms its commitment to national security and urges social media platforms to remove malicious content.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/feb/28/russia-linked-telegram-channels-offering-to-pay-for-attacks-on-mosques
