Roman Lavrynovych, 22, was jailed for seven years for a series of arson attacks targeting properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in north London during May 2025 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The attacks happened over five days and included fires set to a former residence of Starmer in Kentish Town where his sister-in-law lived, a flat in Islington linked to Starmer’s past property holdings, and a Toyota Rav4 car previously owned by the prime minister [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, a Romanian national born in Ukraine, was jailed for two years for conspiracy to commit arson and for supporting Lavrynovych [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Lavrynovych was recruited and paid to carry out the attacks via the messaging app Telegram by an account named "EL Money," who communicated in Russian and Ukrainian [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Prosecutors found no clear political motive, and Lavrynovych said he did not know who he was targeting, pointing to a financial motive for the attacks [2, 4, 5].
The arson began on May 8, 2025, with the fire on the Toyota Rav4 in Kentish Town, followed by fires at an Islington flat on May 11, and Starmer’s former residence on May 12, where occupants were endangered by the blaze [3].
Judge Neil Garnham called Lavrynovych a "useful idiot" and "pawn" who was "easily bought" for money and who acted recklessly, endangering lives [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The judge said, "You are not a man of great principle and you were easily bought. You agreed to carry out this mindless piece of arson for money. You were a useful idiot acting as a pawn for some unknown cause, putting lives at risk" [2].
UK police found no specific evidence linking the men or the attacks to the Russian government, although some reports claim "EL Money" has ties to Russia or Russian hacker groups, which the Russian embassy denies [2, 3, 5]. Conflicting reports identify "EL Money" either as a young Russian diplomat or linked to a Russian hacking group named "NoName" [2, 5]. Lavrynovych was previously involved in minor tasks for the recruiter, including putting up far-right posters [3].
Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the judgment and noted the attacks should be seen in the context of the ongoing Ukraine war and Western sanctions on Russia [5].
Lavrynovych and Carpiuc were convicted at London's Old Bailey on June 15, 2026. Sentencing occurred on June 19, when the prison terms were handed down [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
