Two men, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a series of arson attacks targeting properties associated with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The incidents occurred over three nights in May 2025, with Lavrynovych receiving a seven-year sentence and Carpiuc receiving two years. Prosecutors revealed that the attacks were orchestrated by an unidentified Russian-speaking individual known only as 'El Money,' who communicated with Lavrynovych via the messaging app Telegram.
During the trial at the Old Bailey, it was disclosed that Lavrynovych was recruited to set the fires and film the events for monetary compensation. The first attack involved the burning of a Toyota Rav4 previously owned by Starmer, followed by two additional fires at properties linked to him. Justice Neil Garnham condemned the actions as reckless, emphasizing the danger posed to residents. He characterized Lavrynovych as a 'useful idiot' manipulated into carrying out these acts without understanding the broader implications.
The court heard that while neither man instigated the attacks, Lavrynovych's willingness to act on El Money's instructions highlighted a concerning trend of foreign influence in domestic affairs. This case raises alarms about the potential for external actors to exploit individuals for disruptive purposes within the UK.
The identity of 'El Money' remains unknown, and there are no charges against this figure, leaving questions about the motivations behind the arson and the extent of foreign interference in UK politics.