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A jury at the Old Bailey has found two men guilty of conspiring to commit arson against properties associated with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, both Ukrainian nationals, were implicated in a series of attacks in May 2025, which included setting fire to a vehicle previously owned by Starmer and two residential properties, one rented by his sister-in-law.
Details of the Attacks
The first incident occurred on 8 May 2025, when a Toyota, once owned by the Prime Minister, was discovered ablaze in Kentish Town, an area that has historic ties to Starmer. This was swiftly followed by two significant residential fires, one of which targeted a property rented by Starmer’s sister-in-law, who was reportedly inside with her family during the attack.
The prosecution presented evidence that Lavrynovych had been recruited via a Russian-speaking Telegram user known as “El Money,” who incentivised him with financial rewards for committing the crimes. While Lavrynovych was acquitted of more severe charges related to endangering lives, he was convicted on lesser charges of reckless damage by fire.
Recruitment and Motivations
The court heard that Lavrynovych had previously been tasked by “El Money” with distributing far-right propaganda but never received the substantial payments promised for his criminal activities. Prosecutors emphasised that the defendants did not demonstrate any ideological motivations connected to the attacks, nor did it matter to their case whether they were aware of Starmer’s connection to the targeted properties.
In a notable twist, messages exchanged between Lavrynovych and “El Money” after the final arson indicated a continued financial motivation, with the handler instructing Lavrynovych to dispose of his clothes and offering to send him money, highlighting a level of coordination that raised eyebrows.
The Role of “El Money”
Efforts by Lavrynovych’s defense to uncover the true identity of “El Money” were dismissed by the judge, who ruled that such details were irrelevant to the jury’s deliberations. The defence argued that Lavrynovych had acted under duress, feeling intimidated by the handler. However, the prosecution maintained that the motivations behind the attacks were purely financial.
A BBC Panorama investigation has since identified “El Money” as Evgeny Lyukshin, a 23-year-old Russian diplomat with ties to a prominent official. The investigation revealed that Lyukshin had allegedly engaged in information warfare tactics, extending offers of Russian citizenship in exchange for similar criminal activities.
The Aftermath
The verdict has prompted reactions from Downing Street, with a spokesperson describing the attacks as “abhorrent” and commending the efforts of law enforcement. The incident raises critical questions about the intersection of foreign influence, domestic security, and the targeting of political figures.
Why it Matters
The conviction of Lavrynovych and Carpiuc not only highlights the threat of foreign-directed attacks on UK soil but also underscores the vulnerabilities faced by public figures like Prime Minister Starmer. As geopolitical tensions rise, the implications of such incidents could further complicate the UK’s approach to national security and counter-terrorism strategies, revealing a disturbing trend of proxy attacks that may not just endanger individuals but the democratic processes themselves.
