A UK judge on Friday jailed two men for a series of reportedly Russian-backed arson attacks on two houses in London and a car linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The pair – Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27 – were offered money to carry out the attacks via Telegram messenger by a Russian-speaking figure using the name “El Money”, according to prosecutors.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
Jailing Ukrainian national Lavrynovych for seven years, Judge Neil Garnham said he had been a “useful idiot”.
He was used as a “pawn” for some “unknown cause” which put lives at risk, he said.
“You agreed to carry out this mindless piece of arson for money. You were not a man of great principle and you were easily bought,” he added.
Romanian national Carpiuc, who supported and encouraged Lavrynovych, was handed a two-year jail term.
The men carried out overnight attacks in May 2025 targeting London houses linked to Starmer -- including his former residence where his sister-in-law and her family were living -- and a car he formerly owned.
They were convicted by a jury on Monday of conspiring to damage property by fire following a trial at London’s Old Bailey court.
Prosecutors said the perpetrators did not express any political motivation for carrying out the crimes and their motive was financial.
Helen Flanagan, head of counter-terrorism policing for London, said after the verdict that the mastermind wanted to “create fear” although there was no evidence El Money was a “state threat”.
US Reportedly Views Ukraine as Winner as New Frontline Proposals Emerge
The Financial Times reported that its investigation had found that El Money was located in Russia and linked to a prominent hacker group called NoName.
Lavrynovych, who the prosecution said lit all three fires, was convicted on two additional counts of arson reckless of danger to life.
Speaking after the pair were convicted, Starmer welcomed the verdicts.
He said the series of attacks had “to be seen in its broader context”, pointing to Ukraine “doing better” in the war and Western sanctions having a “real impact on Russia”.
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter
Putin’s Worst Nightmare
