Russia linked to arson attacks on properties connected to UK PM Keir Starmer, police say

Officials connected Monday revealed caller specifications astir a bid of arson attacks targeting properties connected to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alleging nan suspects were recruited and directed by a Russian-speaking handler.

According to constabulary and tribunal reporting, nan suspects were promised costs to transportation retired a coordinated run successful London successful May 2025, including attacks involving a conveyance and 2 properties linked to Starmer.

A caller investigation reported that nan handler is believed to beryllium a diplomat trained successful accusation warfare and portion of a broader Russian sabotage and disinformation cognition directed from Moscow, according to nan Kyiv Post.

Ukrainian nationalist Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian nationalist Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted successful relationship pinch nan arson crippled aft Lavrynovych was recruited by a Russian-speaking Telegram handler known arsenic "El Money," according to constabulary and tribunal reporting. Kyiv Post reported that Carpiuc was besides born successful Ukraine. A 3rd defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a gathering connected Feb. 24, 2026. (Kin Cheung / POOL / AFP via Getty Images))

According to police, Lavrynovych was recruited done Telegram by a Russian-speaking handler saved successful his telephone contacts arsenic "El Money," who allegedly directed him done a bid of progressively superior tasks while promising costs successful return.

"Look, you attacked nan location of a very high-ranking personification successful Britain. I’ll nonstop you nan money you request to time off nan city," nan handler allegedly wrote successful 1 connection cited by investigators, according to Kyiv Post.

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Officials apprehension a Ukrainian man who was later recovered blameworthy of mounting connected occurrence houses linked to U.K. Prime Minister Starmer. (Metropolitan Police)

The handler reportedly offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship successful speech for carrying retired nan attacks and often voiced support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to nan outlet. Evidence besides suggested that "El Money" was trained successful accusation warfare by propagandists and intelligence operatives, nan outlet said.

Investigators added that Russian operatives allegedly coordinated nan run remotely done societal media platforms and Telegram, utilizing clone far-right and Muslim online communities to sow section and fearfulness successful nan U.K., Kyiv Post said.

The Russian Embassy has reportedly denied immoderate involvement, rejecting "any effort to subordinate Russia aliases its overseas ministry pinch unlawful activities," according to nan report.

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Police officers guidelines extracurricular Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer's backstage home, aft it was damaged by occurrence successful a suspected arson onslaught successful northbound London, Britain, May 13, 2025. (REUTERS/Toby Melville)

According to officials, nan 3 arson attacks occurred complete a five-day play successful May 2025.

The first onslaught took spot connected May 8, erstwhile a Toyota conveyance formerly owned by Starmer was group ablaze.

A 2nd occurrence was group connected May 11 astatine nan entranceway of a residential spot that was managed by a institution successful which Starmer had antecedently served arsenic a head and shareholder.

The 3rd onslaught occurred connected May 12 astatine a location that is owned by nan premier minister.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a video convention gathering extracurricular Moscow connected April 7, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

"The actions of nan 2 men progressive successful these arson attacks were incredibly reckless, and it was sheer luck that cipher was killed aliases injured," Commander Helen Flanagan, caput of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said successful a statement.

Police said Lavrynovych was arrested connected May 13 past twelvemonth aft detectives linked nan fishy to nan attacks done CCTV footage and telephone records indicating he had conducted reconnaissance up of nan fires.

Authorities said Carpiuc was arrested connected May 17 successful nan departure lounge astatine Luton Airport moments earlier boarding a formation to Romania.