Ukrainian Man Denies Role in Arson Plot Targeting UK Prime Minister's Properties

A Ukrainian man on trial for conspiracy to damage property by fire has denied any role in a plot targeting properties linked to the prime minister. Petro Pochynok, 35, told the Old Bailey he went to the scene in north London only after a friend asked him to help with luggage.

He said he realized he had been deceived when no suitcases appeared. Pochynok is on trial alongside Roman Lavrynovych, 22, a fellow Ukrainian national, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, a Ukrainian-born Romanian national. The three deny conspiring to set fire to a car and two houses linked to the prime minister between 1 April and 13 May 2025.

Pochynok gave evidence through a translator. He said his long-term friend Carpiuc had phoned to ask if he could assist Lavrynovych with heavy suitcases. Pochynok stated he had met Lavrynovych only once before and had never spoken to him. He agreed to help as a favour to Carpiuc and set his alarm for the early hours of 8 May 2025.

Pochynok walked to a street in Kentish Town where he met Lavrynovych. "When I met him I realised he did not have any suitcases, he only had a rucksack," he told jurors. He said Lavrynovych appeared irritated and spoke repeatedly about money, including an employer who had not paid him for two months.

Pochynok said he realized at that point he had been deceived. Lavrynovych then spoke of setting fire to the employer's car, but Pochynok told him not to do it. Lavrynovych handed him a phone with the camera app open before setting the Toyota alight.

He captured a brief video of Lavrynovych moving away from the burning car. Pochynok then threw the phone on the floor and ran because he did not want to participate in a crime. " >"I did not agree to do that" — Petro Pochynok (BBC News) Pochynok told the court he works in construction and at the department store Harrods.

He said he had never agreed to be paid for any arsons. After the incident he went home and did not want to speak to Lavrynovych again. Both men were arrested within days.

A fire was discovered on 11 May 2025 at flats in Islington where the prime minister had previously lived. The following day, another fire was found at the front entrance to the prime minister's Kentish Town home, which was being rented to a family member.

Lavrynovych is accused of starting all three fires. Lavrynovych had previously told the court he was recruited by a Russian-speaking online account called "El Money" that offered payment for the attacks. After the final fire, the account messaged Lavrynovych urging him to leave the city.

Pochynok said he would not help Russia or anyone linked to it causing problems in the UK.

Pochynok told jurors the prime minister was a friend of Ukraine. He added that the UK had provided more help to Ukraine than the United States. The court heard that Pochynok's father, a soldier fighting in Ukraine, had died three weeks earlier. His evidence was halted when the judge expressed concern about the accuracy of interpretation by the male Ukrainian translator.

Pochynok is scheduled to resume giving evidence on 26 May. The trial continues at the Old Bailey.