Two men convicted for a series of arson attacks targeting properties connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were operating under orders from a Russian-speaking handler known online as “El Money.” The men, including Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were found guilty of conspiring to commit arson against the Prime Minister’s former vehicle and residential properties. A third man, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted of the charges.
In May last year, a Toyota Rav4 previously owned by Starmer was deliberately set on fire in Kentish Town, north London. Shortly after, two homes were targeted, including a north London residence occupied by Starmer’s sister-in-law and her family. The attacks occurred during the night, putting residents at serious risk and leaving many traumatised.
Court evidence revealed Lavrynovych had been recruited online by “El Money” via Telegram, with promises of £3,000 paid in cryptocurrency if the crimes were recorded and publicised. A thorough investigation traced this online handler’s identity to a young Russian diplomat, Evgeny Lyukshinn, who has been linked to intelligence training in information warfare and deep ties to Moscow’s elite.
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Lyukshinn, aged 23, is the son of a senior Russian diplomat and studied at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where he received specialised training on propaganda and disinformation tactics directly from intelligence operatives. His involvement in far-right extremist groups and orchestrated campaigns to fuel division in the UK — including fabricated organisations promoting Islamophobic attacks and racist graffiti — further underscores the sophistication of the operation.
Although direct proof conclusively linking Lyukshinn as “El Money” remains unconfirmed, his presence in extremist Telegram groups and training aligns with evidence uncovered by British and international media investigations. The attacks on Starmer’s properties appear to be part of a wider Kremlin-backed effort aimed at sowing discord and fear within the UK.
Following the crimes, “El Money” advised Lavrynovych to flee and offered legal assistance if detained, signalling an organised network backing these disruptive acts. While law enforcement confirms the defendants acted as proxies motivated by financial gain rather than ideology, the overarching goal seems to be destabilising the UK political environment.
Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London emphasised the severity of the threats despite the lack of a declared ideological motive for the defendants themselves. She warned against falling prey to similar schemes promising easy money for illegal acts, noting the broader intent to spread fear and uncertainty.
The trial did not fully explore the true identity of “El Money,” yet mounting evidence points to a Russian diplomatic operative at the heart of a sophisticated online sabotage campaign targeting UK political figures.