Accused Arsonist in Starmer Attacks Told Police: ‘I Didn’t Know Who the PM Was’
Reflecto News | Breaking News | UK Crime & Security
LONDON — A 22‑year‑old Ukrainian man accused of setting fire to properties linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told police during questioning that he had never heard of the British leader, a court has heard.
Roman Lavrynovych, along with fellow Ukrainian Petro Pochynok, 35, and Romanian‑born Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, is charged in connection with a series of arson attacks on a vehicle and two north London homes associated with the prime minister .
🎯 ‘Do You Know Who the Prime Minister Is?’
According to a transcript of a police interview read to jurors at the Old Bailey, a detective asked Lavrynovych:
“I just want to ask you about our prime minister. Do you know who that is?”
“No,” Lavrynovych replied.
The officer then asked: “You don’t know who the UK prime minister is? Alright, have you heard of Keir Starmer?”
Again, Lavrynovych answered: “No” .
He did, however, confirm that he had heard of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
The defendant denied having any interest in Sir Keir, the Labour Party or British politics generally, and said he did not hold any grudge against the UK government .
🔥 The Alleged Attacks
Prosecutors say Lavrynovych was recruited online by a Russian‑speaking Telegram user known as “El Money” , who promised him payment in cryptocurrency to carry out the arsons .
Three properties were targeted over five days last May:
| Date | Target | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8 May 2025 | Toyota RAV4 car | The vehicle had been owned by Starmer and sold to a neighbour; it was set alight in Kentish Town |
| 11 May 2025 | Islington flat | A property where Starmer had lived during the 1990s, managed by a company of which he was once a director, was set on fire |
| 12 May 2025 | Kentish Town house | Starmer’s private home – where he lived before moving into Downing Street – was targeted; his sister‑in‑law was living there at the time |
No one was injured in the fires, but the doorway of the Kentish Town home was damaged .
💬 ‘I Felt Threatened’
During police interviews, Lavrynovych said he had acted because of financial difficulties and threats from the recruiter.
“He said that once done, he would pay me, and I trusted him. I needed the money. He has not paid me, though,” Lavrynovych told detectives .
He claimed “El Money” had offered him only £1,500 to check for CCTV at the addresses, not to start fires. However, prosecutors say hundreds of messages between Lavrynovych and the handler spanning seven months showed a “good working relationship” and a clear expectation of financial reward .
“I felt threatened,” Lavrynovych said. “He threatened me by saying that I would have to do the job as he knew where I lived. I was scared as my grandmother lives at the same address” .
⚖️ The Charges & Trial
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty .
| Defendant | Role | Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Lavrynovych (22, Ukrainian) | Alleged to have carried out the fires | Three counts of arson with intent to endanger life / reckless as to whether life endangered |
| Petro Pochynok (35, Ukrainian) | Alleged coconspirator | Conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life |
| Stanislav Carpiuc (27, Romanian‑born, Ukrainian‑origin) | Alleged coconspirator | Conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life |
The court heard that the prosecutor did not require the jury to decide whether the defendants knew the properties were linked to the prime minister or whether that formed part of their motivation .
“It does not matter whether they knew that the property they were targeting was connected to the Prime Minister or whether that formed part of their motivation.” – Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC
🌍 Wider Context: Russian‑Linked Recruitment
Investigators believe the attacks were orchestrated by a Russian‑speaking handler operating under the pseudonym “El Money” . The handler communicated in Russian and used encrypted messaging to recruit individuals, promising cryptocurrency payments .
More than 320 messages dating back to September 2024 were recovered between Lavrynovych and “El Money”. At one point, after the fires, the handler urged Lavrynovych to flee London, saying:
“Look, you attacked the home of a very high‑ranking person in Britain. I’ll send you money, you need to leave the city.”
The case underscores the increasing use of financially motivated proxies by hostile actors – a tactic that Western security officials say has become more common since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine .
🕊️ Starmer’s Family Safety
Following the fires, security around the prime minister and his family was reviewed. The Starmer family had moved into Downing Street in July 2024, several months before the attacks, and the Kentish Town property was being rented out at the time.
The Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command led the investigation because of the targets’ connection to a high‑profile public figure .
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Suspect’s statement | Roman Lavrynovych told police he had never heard of Sir Keir Starmer or knew who the UK prime minister was |
| The handler | A Russian‑speaking Telegram user called “El Money” promised cryptocurrency payments to recruit the men |
| Targets | A car once owned by Starmer, an Islington flat where he previously lived, and his Kentish Town home |
| Timeline | Attacks occurred 8‑12 May 2025 |
| Current status | Trial ongoing at the Old Bailey; all three defendants have pleaded not guilty |
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