Officials on Monday revealed new details about a series of arson attacks targeting properties connected to U.K.Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alleging the suspects were recruited and directed by a Russian-speaking handler.According to police and court reporting, the suspects were promised payment to carry out a coordinated campaign in London in May 2025, including attacks involving a vehicle and two properties linked to Starmer.A new investigation reported that the handler is believed to be a diplomat trained in information warfare and part of a broader Russian sabotage and disinformation operation directed from Moscow, according to the Kyiv Post.Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted in connection with the arson plot after Lavrynovych was recruited by a Russian-speaking Telegram handler known as "El Money," according to police and court reporting.
Kyiv Post reported that Carpiuc was also born in Ukraine.A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted.BRITISH POLICE INVESTIGATE FIRE AT PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER'S LONDON HOMEBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a meeting on Feb.
24, 2026.(Kin Cheung / POOL / AFP via Getty Images))According to police, Lavrynovych was recruited through Telegram by a Russian-speaking handler saved in his phone contacts as "El Money," who allegedly directed him through a series of increasingly serious tasks while promising payment in return."Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain.
I’ll send you the money you need to leave the city," the handler allegedly wrote in one message cited by investigators, according to Kyiv Post.BRITAIN INTRODUCES SWEEPING NEW POWERS TO TARGET FOREIGN STATE-LINKED GROUPS INCLUDING IRAN'S IRGCOfficials arrest a Ukrainian man who was later found guilty of setting on fire houses linked to U.K.Prime Minister Starmer.
(Metropolitan Police)The handler reportedly offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship i...