Russian operatives recruited arsonists to attack UK PM Keir Starmer’s properties, authorities confirm

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British authorities have confirmed that a series of coordinated arson attacks targeting properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer were orchestrated by Russian operatives working through encrypted messaging platforms. Two men were convicted in connection with the May 2025 campaign that involved setting fire to a vehicle and two residential properties associated with the UK leader. The attacks, carried out over five days, have been described as part of a broader Russian sabotage and disinformation operation directed from Moscow.

Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were found guilty of carrying out the arson plot after being recruited through the Telegram messaging app. A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted of all charges. Investigators revealed that the suspects were promised payment and other incentives, including Russian citizenship, in exchange for executing the coordinated attacks against one of Britain’s most high-profile political figures.

Telegram handler directed attacks from Moscow with promises of payment

Lavrynovych was recruited by a Russian-speaking handler who appeared in his phone contacts under the alias “El Money,” according to evidence presented during the trial. The handler allegedly guided the suspect through a series of increasingly serious tasks while promising financial compensation for each completed assignment. Messages recovered from Lavrynovych’s device showed the handler maintaining regular communication throughout the operation.

One message cited by investigators reportedly read: “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 frequently expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship as an additional incentive for carrying out the attacks. Evidence suggested that “El Money” received training in information warfare from propagandists and intelligence operatives, indicating a sophisticated operation rather than a random criminal enterprise.

Three coordinated fires targeted Starmer-linked properties across London

The arson campaign began on May 8, 2025, when a Toyota vehicle previously owned by Starmer was set ablaze in London. Three days later, on May 11, a second fire was started at the entrance of a residential property managed by a company in which the prime minister had previously served as a director and shareholder. The third and final attack occurred on May 12 at a house currently owned by Starmer.

• First attack on May 8: Toyota vehicle formerly belonging to Starmer burned
• Second attack on May 11: Fire set at entrance of property linked to company Starmer previously directed
• Third attack on May 12: House owned by the prime minister targeted
• All three incidents occurred within a five-day period in May 2025

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasized the reckless nature of the attacks. “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,” Flanagan stated. The fires could have resulted in serious casualties had circumstances been slightly different, authorities noted.

CCTV footage and phone records led to swift arrests of suspects

Lavrynovych was arrested on May 13, 2025, just one day after the final attack, when detectives linked him to the incidents through closed-circuit television footage and mobile phone records. The digital evidence showed that he had conducted reconnaissance of the target locations in the days leading up to the fires. Phone data placed him at or near each site shortly before the attacks occurred, providing investigators with a clear trail of his movements.

Carpiuc was apprehended four days later on May 17 in a dramatic intervention at Luton Airport. Officers arrested him in the departure lounge moments before he was scheduled to board a flight to Romania, preventing his escape from the country. The timing of the arrest suggests authorities had been monitoring his movements and planned departure as part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigation reveals broader Russian disinformation campaign targeting UK

The arson plot appears to be part of a larger coordinated effort by Russian operatives to sow division and fear within the United Kingdom. Investigators discovered that Russian agents allegedly coordinated multiple campaigns remotely through social media platforms and Telegram, using fake far-right and Muslim online communities to amplify tensions and spread disinformation. The handler believed to be directing the arson attacks is reportedly a diplomat trained in information warfare techniques.

The operation demonstrates the evolving tactics of state-sponsored sabotage, where recruited individuals carry out physical attacks while coordinated disinformation campaigns amplify the psychological impact online. The use of encrypted messaging platforms and cryptocurrency for payments makes tracking and attributing such operations increasingly challenging for law enforcement agencies. The Russian Embassy has denied any involvement in the attacks, rejecting what it called “any attempt to associate Russia or its foreign ministry with unlawful activities.”

British security services have been working to counter increased foreign interference activities, with new legislative powers recently introduced to target state-linked groups operating on UK soil. The successful prosecution of Lavrynovych and Carpiuc marks a significant achievement in disrupting foreign-directed sabotage operations, though authorities acknowledge that the threat from state-sponsored actors remains persistent. The case highlights the vulnerability of public figures and the lengths to which hostile foreign governments may go to intimidate or destabilize democratic nations.