Keir Starmer’s house was attacked by arsonists with links to Russian network
The network behind the attacks has also been linked to spray painting anti-Muslim graffiti on mosques and inciting far-right violence
Keir Starmer’s house and car were targeted by arsonists last year on orders from the Russian government.
Two men, Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted of conspiring to carry out the arson attacks at the Old Bailey yesterday.
Last May, a Toyota previously owned by Starmer was set alight, and days later two properties were set on fire, including one rented out to the prime minister’s sister-in-law.
Another arson attack was carried out at a block of flats where the prime minister used to live.
The prosecution told the court that Lavrynovych carried out the arson attacks after being recruited online by Russian-speaking Telegram user “El Money” or “EL”.
“EL” offered Lavrynovych £3,000 in cryptocurrency if he set the fires, filmed them and got them on the news.
The BBC has identified evidence suggesting that EL is a young Russian diplomat, schooled in information warfare by spies and propagandists, who is close to the highest levels of power in Moscow.
An investigation by Hope not Hate and the BBC has also revealed that the Telegram network behind “EL” was involved in encouraging anti-Muslim attacks and instigate far-right violence in the UK.
The court heard that before Lavrynovych carried out the arson attacks, he was paid to put up posters for “Direct Action UK”, which claimed to be a UK far-right group.
Direct Action was formed in the aftermath of the Southport riots in July 2024.
The group has been linked to spray-painting Islamophobic slogans such as “remigration” and “Stop Islam” at six mosques and an Islamic school.
Last year, Hope Not Hate revealed that the Telegram network was almost certainly operated from Russia.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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