Investigators have alleged that the suspects in three arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London were recruited and directed by a Russian-speaking handler.
According to court records and the investigation file, the incidents took place in a planned manner over five days in May 2025. The records indicate that the attacks targeted two separate properties linked to Starmer using a vehicle.
Three separate attacks in five days
The first arson occurred on 8 May. A Toyota, reported to belong to Starmer, was set on fire.
The second attack took place on 11 May, at the entrance of a residence linked to a company where Starmer had previously served as a director and shareholder.
The third attack occurred on 12 May, at a home belonging to the prime minister.
Police stated that the incidents were a connected series of actions and that the investigation is continuing within this framework.
Suspects and investigation claims
Officials reported that Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted as part of the arson plot. The third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.
According to investigation records, Lavrynovych was contacted by a Russian-speaking Telegram handler saved in his phone contacts as "El Money." However, the identity and connections of this individual remain at the level of an investigation claim.
Investigators alleged that in one of the examined messages, the handler told Lavrynovych he had attacked the home of a very high-level person in Britain and that he would send the money needed to leave the city.
According to the claims, the same individual offered Russian citizenship in return for carrying out the attacks. The investigation also suggested that "El Money" may be linked to propagandists trained in information warfare and intelligence elements; however, these were not presented as verified information.
Remote coordination and Moscow's response
Investigators stated that Russian operators may have remotely coordinated the campaign via social media platforms and Telegram, using fake far-right and Muslim circles for this purpose. This part was also conveyed as an investigation claim.
The Russian Embassy in London, however, rejected the claims and stated that it rebuffed attempts to link Russia or its foreign ministry to illegal activities.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the actions of the two defendants as "extremely reckless" and considered it fortunate that no one was killed or injured in the incident.
According to police, Lavrynovych was arrested on 13 May after CCTV footage and phone records linked him to the attacks. Carpiuc was detained on 17 May at Luton Airport, in the departure lounge as he was about to fly to Romania.
The investigation has evolved beyond the arson case into a broader security file where claims of foreign-linked direction and online manipulation are also being discussed.
