UK court convicts two over PM-targeting plot run by mysterious Russian

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   UK court convicts two in Starmer-linked arson plot; Russian sabotage network alleged

   Two men convicted today of arson attacks on properties and a vehicle linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The court identified a Russian-speaking figure using the alias 'El Money' as the mastermind, with motives described as financial. A separate source claims a pro-Kremlin sabotage network orchestrated the attacks, though direct state involvement remains unconfirmed. No direct link to Russia has been verified by authorities.

   What's confirmed:

   • Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were convicted today of arson attacks on properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
   • The court heard the motive for the attacks was financial.
   • 'El Money,' a Russian-speaking figure on Telegram, directed the plot and demanded visible results on news outlets.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • A pro-Kremlin hacker network based in Russia was behind the arson attacks on properties linked to Starmer, according to a Ukrainian news outlet.
   • Unverified claims suggest broader sabotage efforts beyond the confirmed attacks.
   confidence 85%
2. 1h ago

   UK court convicts two in PM-linked arson plot; Russian diplomat suspected as mastermind

   A London court today convicted Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc of orchestrating arson attacks targeting properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The plot allegedly originated with a Russian-speaking figure using the alias 'El Money' on Telegram. A BBC investigation now implicates a Russian diplomat as the suspected mastermind, though no direct state link has been confirmed. Sentencing is set for Friday.

   What's confirmed:

   • Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were found guilty today of conspiring to commit arson attacks on properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
   • The two men face sentencing on Friday after their convictions in a case tied to the prime minister’s security.
   • The plot was allegedly directed by a Russian-speaking figure using the alias 'El Money' on Telegram, though no direct state link to Russia has been confirmed.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • A BBC investigation suggests a Russian diplomat may be the mastermind behind the firebomb plot targeting Prime Minister Starmer.
   confidence 95%
3. 8h ago

   UK court convicts two men in Starmer-linked arson plot; Russian handler suspected

   A London court today found Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc guilty of orchestrating arson attacks on properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The plot was allegedly directed by a Russian-speaking figure using the alias 'El Money' on Telegram. No direct state link to Russia has been confirmed. Unverified claims suggest broader sabotage efforts.

   What's confirmed:

   • Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were convicted today of conspiring to set fire to properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
   • The plot was allegedly directed by a Russian-speaking handler using the Telegram alias 'El Money', who recruited one of the men through a Russian-language Telegram account.
   • The attacks targeted two houses and a car connected to Starmer, with the fires set last year.
   • UK officials describe the recruitment process as involving Ukrainian nationals carrying out coordinated arson attacks.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Unverified claims suggest a wider sabotage and disinformation campaign linked to the attacks.
   • No confirmed state-level involvement from Russia has been established.
   confidence 92%
4. 13h ago

   UK court convicts two in PM-linked arson plot after Telegram payments from 'El Money'

   A London court today convicted two men—Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc—of orchestrating arson attacks on properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The plot involved torching two houses and a car, with instructions allegedly paid for via Telegram by a Russian-speaking figure using the alias 'El Money.' No confirmed state link to Russia exists. Unverified claims suggest a wider sabotage and disinformation campaign.

   What's confirmed:

   • A London court today convicted two men—Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc—of a plot to torch two houses and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
   • The plot was directed by a Russian-speaking figure known as 'El Money,' who offered one of the men money through Telegram to carry out the attacks.
   • The attacks targeted properties directly associated with the prime minister, including residential houses and a vehicle.
   • No direct evidence links the operation to the Russian state, though the mastermind used a Russian alias and operated via Telegram.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Unverified claims suggest the plot was part of a broader campaign of sabotage and misinformation targeting the UK government.
   confidence 95%
5. 17h ago

   UK court convicts two in PM-targeting arson plot linked to Russian handler

   A UK court today convicted two men of orchestrating arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The plot was directed by a mysterious Russian-speaking figure known as 'El Money,' with no direct link to the Russian state confirmed. The attacks targeted two houses and a car. Unverified claims suggest a broader campaign of sabotage and misinformation.

   What's confirmed:

   • Two men, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc, were convicted today of planning arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
   • The attacks targeted two houses and a car associated with Starmer, with evidence suggesting the plot was directed by an online handler using the alias 'El Money'.
   • The handler 'El Money' has ties to Russia and appears to have orchestrated the attacks, though no direct evidence links the Russian state to the plot.
   • The convicted men reportedly did not know Starmer was the prime minister at the time of the plot, according to prosecutors.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The attacks may have been part of a wider campaign of sabotage and misinformation orchestrated by the Russian state, though this remains unverified.
   • The plot could be connected to broader foreign interference efforts aimed at destabilizing the UK government.
   confidence 85%