On June 15, 2026, two men were found guilty of conspiring to commit arson on properties and a car associated with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. These incidents occurred after one man was contacted via a Russian-language Telegram channel.
The targets included two houses and a vehicle connected to Mr. Starmer, all of which were attacked over a five-day period in May 2025.
Roman Lavrynovych, 22, admitted during the trial that he received directives from a Telegram account using a Ukrainian alias, “EL Money.” He was convicted on two counts of arson where there was recklessness about endangering life.
Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, originally from Ukraine but holding Romanian citizenship, was also found guilty for his participation in these attacks. Another accused, Petro Pochynok, 35, a Ukrainian national, was acquitted of conspiracy charges.
During proceedings at the Old Bailey, London’s central criminal court, Mr. Lavrynovych explained he was unaware of Mr. Starmer’s identity when the crimes occurred. As a Ukrainian employed in construction and moving jobs, he responded to a job offer from an anonymous contact on a social media platform used by Ukrainians in London at the end of 2024.
Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Police via Reuters.