A Russian-speaking individual allegedly recruited and paid Ukrainian men to carry out arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, a court has been told.
Ukrainian nationals Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Petro Pochynok, 35, along with Ukrainian-born Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, are accused of plotting to set fire to three locations in north London in May 2025. All three, who reside in London, deny the charges.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC told the Old Bailey that the three fires—a car once owned by Starmer, a flat managed by a company he was once a director of, and his Kentish Town home—were no coincidence. "The evidence demonstrated that the vehicle and properties had been targeted, and the acts of arson had been planned and directed, with those involved promised payment," he said.
Analysis of phone messages revealed that Lavrynovych was offered money by a contact using the name "El Money" on the Telegram app. The prosecutor said El Money communicated in Russian, contrasting with the Ukrainian used by the defendants. Atkinson urged jurors not to focus on El Money's identity or motives, but rather on the defendants' actions.
CCTV footage showed Lavrynovych buying white spirit from a B&Q store in south London on 6 May 2025, described as an accelerant. Phone data indicated he made a reconnaissance trip to the area where Starmer's former Toyota was parked the night before the car was set ablaze.
Messages between Lavrynovych and Pochynok detailed their plans. On 7 May, Lavrynovych messaged: "Look, we won't talk much on the phone... We'll have money. And this week, if we plan everything well today, tomorrow there may be another one, we'll make more money." The following morning, the car was found burning on a street in Kentish Town.
Further fires occurred on 11 and 12 May at properties linked to the prime minister. A video from Lavrynovych's phone showed a front door being set alight. After exchanging messages with El Money, Lavrynovych returned to the street to start another fire at Starmer's home, which was occupied by his sister-in-law.
The trial continues.