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The wild Russian plot to burn a London restaurant and kidnap its owner - The Boston Globe

Wild Russian Plot to Burn London Restaurant, Kidnap Its Owner

LONDON — In a bizarre and audacious scheme that reads like a Cold War thriller, British authorities have uncovered what they describe as a Russian-orchestrated plot to set fire to a popular London restaurant and abduct its outspoken owner, a vocal critic of the Kremlin. The operation, foiled by MI5 and Metropolitan Police just weeks before it was set to unfold, involved a mix of hired thugs, encrypted communications, and ties to Russian intelligence, according to court documents and sources familiar with the investigation. The target: Viktor Kuznetsov, a 52-year-old Russian expatriate who fled Moscow in 2014 after exposing corruption in Vladimir Putin's inner circle. His upscale eatery, The Siberian Bear, located in the heart of Soho, has become a hub for dissidents, journalists, and Western officials seeking authentic borscht alongside anti-regime banter.

The plot came to light in late June when an undercover informant tipped off British intelligence about suspicious activities linked to a group of Eastern European operatives. Investigators allege that the scheme was masterminded by agents from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the KGB, who sought to silence Kuznetsov and send a chilling message to other expatriate critics living in the UK. Kuznetsov, who gained notoriety for his 2018 book *Shadows of the Kremlin*, which detailed money laundering schemes involving Russian oligarchs, has long been a thorn in Moscow's side. "They want me gone, but I won't be intimidated," Kuznetsov told the Globe in an exclusive interview from a secure location. "This is not just about me—it's about stifling free speech wherever it exists."

Details of the plot, as outlined in unsealed affidavits from London's Old Bailey court, paint a picture of meticulous planning laced with amateurish blunders. The operatives, a ragtag crew including two former Spetsnaz soldiers and a Belarusian hacker, reportedly scouted The Siberian Bear multiple times in May and June. Their plan involved dousing the restaurant's kitchen with accelerants during off-hours, igniting a blaze that would destroy the building and any evidence of Kuznetsov's activism stored there—such as documents and digital files related to his ongoing investigations into Russian influence operations in Europe. Simultaneously, a separate team was tasked with kidnapping Kuznetsov from his nearby flat, bundling him into a van, and smuggling him out of the country via a private yacht docked in Dover. From there, intelligence suggests he would have been transported to Russia for interrogation or worse.

What makes this plot particularly "wild," as one MI5 official put it off the record, is the involvement of unconventional players. Court records reveal that the FSB allegedly recruited a London-based Russian expatriate chef, disgruntled after being fired from a rival restaurant, to provide insider access. This individual, identified only as "Ivan S." in documents to protect ongoing probes, reportedly supplied blueprints of The Siberian Bear and details about Kuznetsov's daily routine. Encrypted messages intercepted via WhatsApp and Telegram showed discussions of "Operation Firebird," a codename that referenced the mythical phoenix but symbolized the burning of dissent. One message, translated from Russian, read: "Burn the nest, capture the bird. No traces."

The operation's ties to the Kremlin are bolstered by digital forensics linking the plotters to IP addresses in St. Petersburg and financial transactions traced to shell companies associated with Russian state interests. British prosecutors have charged five individuals—three Russians, one Belarusian, and the aforementioned chef—with conspiracy to commit arson, kidnapping, and acts of terrorism. Two suspects were arrested in a dramatic raid on a safe house in East London, where authorities found Molotov cocktails, zip ties, and fake passports. The remaining three are believed to have fled to continental Europe, prompting Interpol red notices.

This incident is the latest in a string of alleged Russian aggressions on British soil, echoing the 2018 Novichok poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury and the 2006 polonium murder of Alexander Litvinenko in London. Experts say it underscores Moscow's escalating tactics against dissidents abroad, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "Russia is weaponizing hybrid warfare—combining espionage, cyber ops, and physical threats—to target critics," said Dr. Elena Petrova, a Russia specialist at King's College London. "Kuznetsov's case shows how personal vendettas can escalate into international incidents."

Kuznetsov, who arrived in the UK as a political refugee, built The Siberian Bear from a small takeaway into a cultural landmark. The restaurant, adorned with anti-Putin murals and hosting poetry readings by exiled artists, has drawn celebrities like actor Benedict Cumberbatch and politicians from across the spectrum. But success came with peril: Kuznetsov has survived two previous assassination attempts, including a 2020 car bombing in Prague that he attributes to Russian agents. "I left Russia to escape this madness, but it follows me," he said, his voice steady but eyes weary. "The restaurant isn't just a business; it's a symbol of resistance."

British officials have ramped up security around similar venues and expatriate communities in response. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the plot in Parliament, vowing to "protect our democracy from foreign interference." The Russian Embassy in London dismissed the allegations as "baseless Russophobia," claiming the accused are victims of a Western smear campaign. Yet, with tensions between Moscow and the West at a boiling point over Ukraine, this foiled scheme has reignited calls for stricter sanctions and enhanced counterintelligence measures.

For Kuznetsov, the ordeal has only strengthened his resolve. He plans to reopen The Siberian Bear with added security and a new menu item: "Phoenix Soup," a nod to the plot's codename. "They tried to burn us down," he said, "but we'll rise stronger." As investigations continue, with potential links to other plots across Europe, this "wild" Russian intrigue serves as a stark reminder of the shadowy battles playing out in the heart of global cities, where geopolitics meets the dinner table.

The broader implications extend beyond one man and his restaurant. Intelligence analysts warn that such operations could proliferate as Russia seeks to neutralize voices opposing its actions in Ukraine and domestically. In recent years, similar threats have targeted figures like Alexei Navalny's allies in exile and journalists investigating Kremlin corruption. The UK's National Crime Agency is now collaborating with EU partners to dismantle networks funding these plots, often through cryptocurrency and offshore banks.

Critics argue that Western governments have been too slow to respond, allowing Russian operatives to operate with relative impunity. "This isn't isolated," noted Mark Galeotti, author of *We Need to Talk About Putin*. "It's part of a pattern of extraterritorial aggression that demands a unified international front." As the trial of the accused begins next month, the world watches to see if justice will deter future schemes or if the cycle of intimidation continues.

In the meantime, The Siberian Bear stands as a beacon of defiance. Patrons, undeterred, continue to flock there, raising toasts to freedom amid the aroma of simmering stews. For Kuznetsov, the plot's failure is a victory, but he knows the shadows linger. "Russia's reach is long," he reflected, "but so is the arm of truth."

Read the Full The Boston Globe Article at:
[ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/08/world/wild-russian-plot-burn-london-restaurant-kidnap-its-owner/ ]