Ukrainian man found guilty of setting property linked to UK PM Starmer on fire
A Ukrainian and a Romanian have been convicted of setting fire to properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a campaign authorities say was directed by Russia. The attacks, spanning five days in May 2025, involved fake far-right and Muslim groups to escalate tensions. Russian handlers used Telegram to coordinate the plot, according to investigators.
What changed
New details confirm Russian state involvement in orchestrating the attacks, beyond the previously reported Telegram-linked recruitment.
Live updates
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Ukrainian man and Romanian convicted in Russia-backed arson plot targeting UK PM’s properties
confidence 95%A Ukrainian and a Romanian have been convicted of setting fire to properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a campaign authorities say was directed by Russia. The attacks, spanning five days in May 2025, involved fake far-right and Muslim groups to escalate tensions. Russian handlers used Telegram to coordinate the plot, according to investigators.
What's confirmed:
- A 22-year-old Ukrainian and a 27-year-old Romanian have been convicted of arson attacks on properties and vehicles linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- The attacks occurred over five days in May 2025, targeting multiple properties connected to Starmer.
- Russian state actors directed the plot and used fabricated far-right and Muslim groups to stoke tensions.
- A Russian-speaking handler used Telegram to coordinate the arson campaign.
Still unconfirmed:
- The Romanian defendant was born in Ukraine, though this detail has not been independently verified outside the conviction report.
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Two men convicted in UK PM Starmer-linked arson attacks; Russia recruitment alleged
confidence 95%A 22-year-old Ukrainian and a 27-year-old Romanian have been convicted of arson attacks targeting properties and vehicles linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Investigators say the plot originated from a Russian-speaking handler using Telegram. The attacks occurred over five days last May. Authorities confirm a Russian connection in the recruitment process.
What's confirmed:
- A 22-year-old Ukrainian man and a 27-year-old Romanian man were convicted of conspiring to set fire to properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- One of the men was recruited through a Russian-language Telegram account by an unidentified handler.
- The attacks took place over a five-day period in May 2026.
- UK officials state the handler was Russian-speaking and coordinated the plot.
Still unconfirmed:
- The handler used the alias 'EL Money' (source: previous reporting, not confirmed in new sources).
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Ukrainian man convicted in Starmer-linked arson plot; Russian handler suspected
confidence 95%A Ukrainian man, Roman Lavrynovych, was found guilty Monday of arson attacks targeting properties and vehicles linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. A second Ukrainian man was also convicted in the plot, which investigators say originated from Russia. The attacks were allegedly directed by an unidentified handler using the alias 'EL Money.' Emergency services responded to fires over a five-day period last May.
What's confirmed:
- Roman Lavrynovych, 22, was convicted of two counts of reckless arson that endangered life, linked to fires at properties and vehicles tied to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Two Ukrainian men were convicted Monday of conspiring to set fire to two houses and a car linked to Starmer, with investigators tracing the plot to a Russian handler.
- The attacks were allegedly directed by an unidentified figure using the online alias 'EL Money,' with plans to film the incidents for online dissemination.
- Emergency services responded to fires at multiple properties and vehicles linked to Starmer over a five-day period in May 2025.
Still unconfirmed:
- The attacks originated from Russia, with a GRU-linked figure suspected of orchestrating the plot.
- The handler was described as a 'Russian-speaking taskmaster' directing 'Ukrainian stooges.'
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Two men convicted in arson plot targeting UK PM Starmer’s properties
confidence 97%A Ukrainian man and a Moldovan man were found guilty of conspiring to firebomb a property and vehicle linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Investigators say the attacks originated from Russia, with a handler using the online alias 'El Money' directing the plot. The men were convicted Monday after a trial revealed plans to film the attacks for online dissemination.
What's confirmed:
- Two men—one Ukrainian and one Moldovan—were found guilty of plotting to set fire to property and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- The attacks occurred last year, targeting a residence and vehicle associated with Starmer.
- A Russian-speaking figure known as 'El Money' offered payment to one of the men to carry out the arson and record video of the attacks for online posting.
- Investigators state the arson attacks originated in Russia and were coordinated remotely.
- The jury heard evidence that three men were involved in the plot, with two convicted and a third unnamed individual implicated.
Still unconfirmed:
- A 'mysterious Russian' may have directed the overall plot, though no direct evidence of their identity has been publicly confirmed.
- 'El Money' may have ties to Russian state-backed operations, but no official confirmation of affiliation exists.