Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the United Kingdom is under attack from hostile actors seeking to “exploit division” and “destabilise our democracy,” following the conviction of two men for arson against property linked to him. The trial revealed that Roman Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, were directed by a Russian-speaking Telegram handler using the pseudonym “El Money,” who is believed to be linked to Russia.
Lavrynovych and Carpiuc were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property connected to the prime minister. Lavrynovych was also convicted of damaging two properties by fire, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, on 11 and 12 May last year. Their co-defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was cleared. The pair are set to be sentenced on Friday.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, Starmer said the attack had “clearly impacted and affected my family.” He emphasised the need to resist those who seek to cause conflict, noting that “there are many actors who want to divide our country.” The prime minister also condemned the spread of a false conspiracy theory that the attackers were sex workers, which he suggested was amplified by far-right figures and hostile Russian agents.
The case comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the UK, including the interception of a Russian shadow fleet vessel and a Russian warship firing warning shots at a British-flagged yacht. Starmer described the warning shots as “deeply concerning and reckless” and said the UK faces proxy attacks from Russia “every single day.” He announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s finance networks and expanding the number of shadow fleet vessels subject to restrictions to over 600.
