Starmer says Russia-linked arson attacks show UK targeted by bad actors
10 reported
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK is under attack from bad actors seeking to “exploit division” and “destabilise our democracy,” following the trial of two Russian-linked arsonists who targeted property connected to him. Roman Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property linked to Starmer, operating under the instruction of an online handler with ties to Russia. Speaking at the G7 in Évian-les-Bains, France, on Wednesday, Starmer said the attack had “clearly impacted and affected my family.” The sentencing is scheduled for Friday, while a co-defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was cleared. The case comes amid heightened UK-Russia tensions, including a Russian shadow fleet vessel interception and a Russian warship firing warning shots at a British-flagged yacht. Starmer described the warning shots as “deeply concerning and reckless,” adding that the UK faces proxy attacks from Russia “every single day.”
What’s reported
Roman Lavrynovych, 22 (Ukraine), and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27 (Romania), were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
They appear to have operated under the instruction of an online handler with links to Russia, using the pseudonym “El Money” on Telegram.
Lavrynovych was also convicted of damaging two properties by fire, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, on 11 and 12 May last year.
Co-defendant Petro Pochynok, 35, was cleared.
Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
On Sunday, a Russian shadow fleet vessel with 98,000 tonnes of oil was intercepted by British troops in the Channel.
On Tuesday, a Russian warship fired warning shots at a British-flagged yacht.
Starmer said the UK is dealing with proxy attacks from Russia “every single day.”
A conspiracy theory that the defendants were aggrieved sex workers was spread by figures such as Tommy Robinson; some security sources suggested it could have been created by far-right figures in the UK and amplified by hostile Russian agents.
Investigations by the BBC and the Financial Times linked Russia to the arson attacks; the FT found El Money was located in Russia and aligned with pro-Kremlin hacktivist group NoName057(16).
Misconceptions
The source article notes that some security sources said an outlandish and false theory that the defendants were aggrieved sex workers who torched Starmer’s home because they had not been paid could have been created by far-right figures in the UK and amplified by hostile Russian agents.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
Roman Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, convicted arsonist
Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, convicted arsonist
Petro Pochynok, 35, co-defendant cleared
James Scobie KC, representing Lavrynovych
Tommy Robinson, figure who spread conspiracy theory
“El Money,” pseudonym of online handler
Sources: The Guardian
