UK Prime Minister Starmer's property targeted in arson; two men sentenced

A London Old Bailey jury convicted Ukrainian‑born Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian‑born Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, of conspiracy to damage property by fire after they set ablaze a car and two homes linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in May 2025. Lavrynovych received a seven‑year term and Carpiuc two years. Prosecutors said the men were recruited by a Russian‑speaking figure using the alias “El Money,” who offered cryptocurrency payments via Telegram. The judge, Mr Justice Neil Garnham, called Lavrynovych a “useful idiot” and warned, “You agreed to carry out this mindless piece of arson for money… you were easily bought.” The attacks caused smoke that left Starmer’s sister‑in‑law struggling to breathe but caused no serious injuries. Police view the plot as possible Russian‑state‑backed sabotage; senior investigators linked it to the far‑right Telegram channel Direct Action UK and a hacktivist group identified as NoName. The UK Home Office called the attacks “abhorrent” and the Prime Minister said they must be seen in the broader context of the Ukraine war and Western sanctions against Russia.