UK: Romanian and Ukrainian jailed for arson attacks on Keir Starmer-linked properties

A Romanian man and a Ukrainian national have been sentenced in London for carrying out arson attacks on properties connected to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, received a two-year sentence, while Roman Lavrynovych, 22, was sentenced to seven years.

The court heard that the two men were recruited by a Russian-speaking contact via the Telegram messaging app, identified in court as 'EL' and saved in their phones as 'El Money'. These orders led to arson attacks in May 2025.

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You served as a pawn in the service of an unknown cause, endangering the lives of people sleeping peacefully in their beds.

One fire targeted the former London residence of Keir Starmer in Kentish Town, causing damage to the entrance. Starmer had lived there before moving to Downing Street in July 2024. At the time of the incident, his sister-in-law and her family occupied the house. Another attack involved a car previously owned by Starmer.

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You are not a man of great principles and you allowed yourself to be easily bought.

Lavrynovych, who worked in construction in England, claimed he acted under threat from 'EL'. The judge described him as a "useful idiot" and an "imbecile" who was easily manipulated and bought. "You served as a pawn in the service of an unknown cause, endangering the lives of people sleeping peacefully in their beds," the judge told Lavrynovych.

Carpiuc was not directly involved in the house fire. His role was primarily to "recover the money offered for these crimes," the judge stated. While British media have linked the fires to Russia, the judge made no mention of this in his sentencing. Investigations by outlets like the BBC have suggested 'EL' is a Russian diplomat named Evgeny Lyukshin.

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Roman Lavrynovych was a 'useful idiot' for EL, an 'imbecile' whom he could 'manipulate'.