Starmer links arson of his property to malicious actors and Russian networks

The publication noted that particular attention during the trial was drawn to a false narrative that the arson was allegedly carried out by sex workers over unpaid fees. According to security sources, this theory may have been fabricated by far-right figures in the UK and later amplified by pro-Russian entities.

Commenting on the spread of this theory, Starmer stated that "there are many malicious actors who seek to divide British society and provoke internal conflicts."

"Some of the evidence presented during the trial speaks for itself, but there are broader issues here. We face this constantly," he added.

The UK prime minister stated that some British politicians and other influential figures are effectively "fostering societal division for their own interests." Furthermore, he said, there are external forces attempting to exploit internal contradictions in the UK to weaken the country and undermine its democratic institutions.

Starmer highlighted that "we must fight this at every turn and every step of the way."

On June 15, a court found 22-year-old Ukrainian citizen Roman Lavrynovych and 27-year-old Romanian citizen Stanislav Carpiuc guilty of conspiracy to commit arson on properties linked to Starmer. According to the investigation, they acted under the direction of an anonymous online coordinator with ties to Russia.

During the G7 summit, Starmer noted that the attack on his home deeply affected his family.

Lavrynovych and Carpiuc are scheduled to be sentenced on June 19. A third defendant, 35-year-old Petro Pochynok, was acquitted. Additionally, Lavrynovych was found guilty of two separate arsons committed on May 11 and 12 of last year, which could have posed a danger to people.

On May 12, 2025, it was reported that a fire had broken out at the home of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The Starmers purchased the home, valued at around 2 million pounds sterling, in 2004 for 650,000 pounds. They lived there until July 2024, when they relocated to Downing Street. The house is located near the residences of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

On June 15, it was reported that a Financial Times investigation indicated a Russian sabotage network, operating via Telegram and linked to pro-Kremlin hacktivists, could be behind the arson attacks on the UK's prime minister's family home and other associated properties. According to the publication, the perpetrator of the attacks was recruited through a job ad in London and promised a cryptocurrency reward for completing the tasks.