On June 16, 2026, officials provided details regarding a series of arson attacks targeting properties associated with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Authorities allege that the suspects were recruited and directed by a Russian-speaking handler. The attacks occurred in London in May 2025 and involved a vehicle and two properties linked to Starmer.
According to police and court reports, the suspects were promised payment for their involvement in a coordinated campaign. The handler is believed to be a diplomat trained in information warfare, part of a broader Russian operation directed from Moscow, as reported by the Kyiv Post.
Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted in connection with the arson plot after Lavrynovych was recruited via Telegram by a handler known as "El Money." A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.
Investigators indicated that Lavrynovych was directed through a series of tasks by the handler, who allegedly promised payment and offered Russian citizenship in exchange for carrying out the attacks. The handler reportedly expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Evidence suggests that Russian operatives coordinated the campaign remotely through social media platforms, using fake online communities to create division in the U.K. The Russian Embassy has denied any involvement in the attacks.
The three arson incidents occurred between May 8 and May 12, 2025. The first attack involved a vehicle previously owned by Starmer, while the second targeted a residential property managed by a company linked to him. The final attack occurred at a house owned by Starmer. Police arrested Lavrynovych on May 13, 2025, after linking him to the attacks through CCTV footage and phone records. Carpiuc was arrested on May 17, 2025, at Luton Airport before boarding a flight to Romania.