BBC Investigation Links Arson Attacks on Starmer Properties to Russian Operatives
A BBC investigation found that arson attacks on properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer were directed by a Russian operative using Telegram. Two Ukrainian nationals were convicted of conspiracy to commit arson while a third was acquitted.
BBC NewsThe attacks included the burning of a Toyota previously owned by the prime minister, a fire at the entrance to flats where he once lived, and another at the entrance to his former house. Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted at the Old Bailey of conspiring to commit arson; Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.
The BBC identified the handler directing Lavrynovych as Evgeny Lyukshin, a 23-year-old Russian national described as the son of a senior official. Messages recovered by investigators show Lyukshin offering Russian citizenship and payment for additional attacks while glorifying President Vladimir Putin.
Lavrynovych was recruited through a Telegram group for Ukrainians seeking work in London. The handler used the account initials EL and communicated in formal Russian.
Russian operatives created a fake far-right group called Direct Action UK to organize vandalism and spread division. The group posted offers of payment for attacks on police, mosques, and other targets, using accounts that posted from Moscow time zones and used Cyrillic characters.
Six mosques and one Islamic school in London were vandalized after Direct Action offered payment for Islamophobic graffiti. The group also promoted content featuring far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The Russian embassy stated it rejects any attempt to associate Russia or its foreign ministry with unlawful activities and said Russia poses no threat to the United Kingdom.
