On Monday, officials unveiled fresh insights into a string of arson attacks aimed at properties linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, suggesting that the perpetrators were orchestrated by a Russian-speaking coordinator.
Authorities have disclosed that the individuals involved were lured with promises of payment to execute a well-planned offensive in London during May 2025. This campaign included targeting a vehicle and two properties associated with Starmer.
According to a recent investigation, the mastermind behind these operations is suspected to be a diplomat with expertise in information warfare, acting as part of a larger Russian sabotage and disinformation strategy managed from Moscow, as reported by the Kyiv Post.
Convictions have been secured for Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, for their roles in the arson scheme. Lavrynovych was reportedly recruited via a Russian-speaking Telegram handler known as “El Money,” based on police and courtroom accounts. The Kyiv Post also noted that Carpiuc has Ukrainian roots. Meanwhile, a third individual, Petro Pochynok, 35, was found not guilty.
The incident underscores the geopolitical tensions that continue to ripple through Europe, highlighting the vulnerabilities even at the highest levels of government.
According to police, Lavrynovych was recruited through Telegram by a Russian-speaking handler saved in his phone contacts as “El Money,” who allegedly directed him through a series of increasingly serious tasks while promising payment in return.
“Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain. I’ll send you the money you need to leave the city,” the handler allegedly wrote in one message cited by investigators, according to Kyiv Post.
Officials arrest a Ukrainian man who was later found guilty of setting on fire houses linked to U.K. Prime Minister Starmer. (Metropolitan Police)
The handler reportedly offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship in exchange for carrying out the attacks and frequently voiced support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the outlet. Evidence also suggested that “El Money” was trained in information warfare by propagandists and intelligence operatives, the outlet said.
Investigators added that Russian operatives allegedly coordinated the campaign remotely through social media platforms and Telegram, using fake far-right and Muslim online communities to sow division and fear in the U.K., Kyiv Post said.
The Russian Embassy has reportedly denied any involvement, rejecting “any attempt to associate Russia or its foreign ministry with unlawful activities,” according to the report.
Police officers stand outside Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s private home, after it was damaged by fire in a suspected arson attack in north London, Britain, May 13, 2025. (REUTERS/Toby Melville)
According to officials, the three arson attacks occurred over a five-day period in May 2025.
The first attack took place on May 8, when a Toyota vehicle formerly owned by Starmer was set ablaze.
A second fire was set on May 11 at the entrance of a residential property that was managed by a company in which Starmer had previously served as a director and shareholder.
The third attack occurred on May 12 at a house that is owned by the prime minister.
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a video conference meeting outside Moscow on April 7, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
“The actions of the two men involved in these arson attacks were incredibly reckless, and it was sheer luck that nobody was killed or injured,” Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said in a statement.
Police said Lavrynovych was arrested on May 13 last year after detectives linked the suspect to the attacks through CCTV footage and phone records indicating he had conducted reconnaissance ahead of the fires.
Authorities said Carpiuc was arrested on May 17 in the departure lounge at Luton Airport moments before boarding a flight to Romania.
<!–>
