A coordinated series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in north London has been traced back to a Russian-directed sabotage operation, according to the BBC. The attacks, which took place over several days in May 2025, represent one of the most brazen alleged acts of Russian hybrid warfare on British soil in recent memory.
Three men were ultimately convicted of conspiracy to commit arson following proceedings at the Old Bailey. The case has laid bare a recruitment pipeline running through the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, where an individual operating under the handle “El Money” allegedly directed operatives to carry out the firebombings.
What happened in north London
The attacks targeted multiple properties associated with Starmer, including a vehicle he owned, across a span of days in May 2025. The targets were not random. They were specifically chosen because of their connection to the sitting Prime Minister.
The three suspects charged in the case were Roman Lavrynovych, a 22-year-old Ukrainian national; Petro Pochynok, a 35-year-old Ukrainian national; and Stanislav Carpiuc, a 27-year-old Romanian citizen of Ukrainian descent. All three faced conspiracy to commit arson charges, and convictions were secured for some of the accused in June 2026.
