On Monday, officials provided new information about arson attacks targeting properties connected to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The suspects were reportedly recruited and directed by a Russian-speaking handler.
Law enforcement identified the suspects as part of a planned campaign in London in May 2025. This campaign included coordinated attacks on a vehicle and two properties linked to Starmer.
A report suggests that the handler is a diplomat trained in information warfare, linked to a larger Russian sabotage operation managed from Moscow. This revelation comes from the Kyiv Post.
Arrests and Convictions
Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, received convictions for their involvement in the plot. Lavrynovych was approached by a Russian-speaking Telegram contact known as “El Money,” police and court reports indicate. Carpiuc was also reportedly born in Ukraine. A third suspect, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.
British police are investigating a fire that damaged Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s London home.
Recruitment and Direction
Lavrynovych was recruited via Telegram, with “El Money” listed in his contacts. The handler allegedly guided him through a series of tasks, promising payment.
“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 said in a message cited by investigators, according to Kyiv Post.
The handler also reportedly offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship for completing the attacks, often expressing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Evidence suggests “El Money” was trained in information warfare, as noted by the outlet.
Reports indicate Russian operatives used social media platforms and Telegram to coordinate the campaign remotely. They allegedly created fake far-right and Muslim online communities to incite division in the U.K.
The Russian Embassy denied involvement, rejecting any connection to illegal activities.
The Arson Attacks
Officials reported three arson attacks over a five-day period in May 2025:
- On May 8, a Toyota vehicle formerly owned by Starmer was set on fire.
- On May 11, a fire occurred at a property entrance managed by a company previously associated with Starmer.
- On May 12, a fire broke out at a house owned by the prime minister.
According to Commander Helen Flanagan, the arson attacks were reckless, risking lives but resulting in no injuries.
Police arrested Lavrynovych on May 13 after linking him to the attacks through CCTV and phone records that showed reconnaissance prior to the fires. Authorities arrested Carpiuc on May 17 at Luton Airport before he could board a flight to Romania.