Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he is pleased that “justice has been done” after two men were convicted over a series of arson attacks targeting property linked to him.
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Roman Lavrynovych, 22, a Ukrainian national, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, a Romanian citizen born in Ukraine, were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on properties and a vehicle connected to Starmer in 2025.
Prime Minister Responds After Guilty Verdicts
Speaking from the G7 summit in France, Starmer said he was “very pleased for my family's sake” that the men had been convicted.
“Obviously it was a bad attack, and all the details have now come out in court and justice has been done,” he told reporters.
Focus Turns to Alleged Russian Involvement
The verdicts came shortly before a BBC Panorama investigation reported that Russia was behind the attacks.
Starmer said the incidents should be viewed within the wider context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. He pointed to Ukraine’s battlefield successes and the impact of Western sanctions on Moscow, arguing that G7 nations should increase pressure on Russia.
The UK has since announced 70 new sanctions targeting Russia, including measures aimed at the Kremlin’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport oil and gas, as well as financial networks accused of helping Moscow circumvent existing restrictions.
The sanctions followed the boarding of a suspected Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel on Sunday.
Investigation Traces Recruitment to Telegram Contact
Prosecutors said the attacks were organised after one of the suspects was recruited online by a Russian-speaking Telegram user known as “El Money”, who allegedly promised payment for carrying out the crimes.
The Panorama investigation reported evidence suggesting “El Money” is Evgeny Lyukshin, a 23-year-old Russian diplomat and the son of a senior Russian official.
According to the BBC, the Telegram account offered Russian citizenship in exchange for carrying out additional attacks and circulated messages praising Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian-based online accounts also allegedly spread disinformation about the motives behind the attacks.
Security Concerns Raised
Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore said on Tuesday that Putin was attempting to intimidate Britain through sabotage, cyber operations and arson attacks.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Moore said Britain should not be surprised if Russian involvement were eventually confirmed, although the government and intelligence services have not formally attributed the attacks to the Kremlin.
He argued that Moscow may be seeking to expand the conflict beyond Ukraine through disruptive actions designed to distract and intimidate countries supporting Kyiv.
Moore called for continued backing for Ukraine, stronger cyber defences and increased investment in intelligence capabilities. He also said individuals recruited online to act on behalf of hostile states should face lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
Political Reaction
The case has renewed debate over Britain’s security and defence posture.
Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who resigned from government last week alongside Defence Secretary John Healey in a dispute over military funding, said the attacks and subsequent disinformation campaign demonstrated the need to rethink national defence priorities.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also condemned the attacks, saying public officials should never face intimidation or violence because of their role.
“Democracy is settled at the ballot box, not through fear or violence and definitely not through foreign interference from hostile countries,” she said.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 16 June 2026