Why small-time criminals burned a London warehouse for Russia's mercenary group Wagner

Kirill Yakulev was a former soldier from the Soviet Union who was employed by Mitie Security to work in a control room on site during the night.

He drove there on the night of 22 March, parked his black Vauxhall Astra a short distance from the industrial estate, and used his Mitie keycard to gain access.

But he’d also brought a Kinder Egg which, along with a special supplement, contained a green flammable substance, an electronic detonator from a firework, and a length of fuse.

Yakulev, who was born in Ukraine but now lives in Hertfordshire, quickly made his way to the shipping container.

“`ADD your own content“`

At 4.44am he threw the homemade bomb at the roller shutter door between units one and two and ran off into the night.

Within 15 minutes at least eight workers at Yodel and Finale Despatch began arriving for their early morning shifts.

Unit one, which received regular shipments from Ukrainian businessmen, was well alight by the time a Dunkin Donuts delivery driver was the first to notice and sounded the alarm.

The blaze spread quickly between the units, eventually destroying offices and storage space including several articulated wagons.

It was around this time a Mitsubishi pick-up pulled up nearby next to the lorries. Moments later, Yakulev jumped in and the vehicle sped off to the east, never to be seen again.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Earl was sent a glowing review of the latest attack by Privet Bot – with one important caveat: it found the trade craft employed in the UK “unacceptable.”

They would need to either complete their remaining tasks properly – or the money would be seized and Earl and his gang would be executed.

Cut off from his bot handler, Earl struggled to pull off another plot – or even to pay his rent.

Since September, earlsbot had been behind bars after pleading guilty to arson and conspiracy to commit arson against UK targets, as well as trying to set fire to and blow up US targets.

His sentencing has been scheduled for 14 July – where he promises to sing.