New Details Unveiled in Arson Case Linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Officials have announced fresh insights regarding multiple arson attacks aimed at properties connected to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Allegations suggest that the attackers were guided by a Russian-speaking handler.
According to reports from law enforcement and court documents, the suspects were incentivized to carry out a planned series of attacks in London during May 2025. This included an assault on a vehicle and two properties associated with Starmer.
A recent investigation indicates that the handler is thought to be a diplomat with expertise in information warfare, involved in a wider Russian operation focused on sabotage and misinformation originating from Moscow.
Two individuals, 22-year-old Roman Lavrynovych from Ukraine and 27-year-old Stanislav Carpiuc from Romania, have been found guilty in relation to the arson scheme. Lavrynovych was reportedly recruited via Telegram by the handler, who is referenced as “El Money.” Evidence also suggests that Carpiuc has Ukrainian roots. A third individual, Petro Pochynok, age 35, was found not guilty.
According to police accounts, Lavrynovych was contacted through Telegram by the handler, who encouraged him to complete a series of increasingly serious tasks. In one message, the handler purportedly promised Lavrynovych financial support to escape the city after the attacks.
The handler was also alleged to have offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship in return for executing the attacks and expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Investigators remarked that “El Money” seemed to have connections to those trained in information warfare tactics.
Authorities added that the campaign was coordinated remotely by Russian operatives through social media and Telegram, using fake online communities to instigate division and fear within the U.K.
The Russian Embassy has denied any involvement in the incidents, labeling attempts to link Russia to these activities as unfounded.
The attacks occurred over five days in May 2025, starting with a fire on May 8 that destroyed a vehicle previously owned by Starmer. The second incident happened on May 11 at a residential property managed by a company where Starmer was once a director. The final fire was set on May 12 at a house owned by the Prime Minister.
In the aftermath, Commander Helen Flanagan, leading the Counter Terrorism unit in London, remarked that the actions of the two men were dangerous and lucky no one was injured or killed. Lavrynovych was apprehended on May 13 after police connected him to the arson through CCTV and phone records. Carpiuc was taken into custody on May 17 at Luton Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Romania.
