Russian State Orchestrated Arson Attacks on Prime Minister Starmer's Property, Investigation Reveals
A recent investigation has revealed that arson attacks on properties associated with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were orchestrated by the Russian state, forming part of a broader campaign of sabotage and disinformation. Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted at the Old Bailey for conspiring to commit arson against a car and properties linked to Starmer. However, the trial deliberately avoided exploring the identity or motives of their anonymous handler, referred to as “EL Money” in court.
Russian Diplomat Identified as Key Operative
The investigation identified the handler, known by the initials EL, as Evgeny Lyukshin, a 23-year-old Russian diplomat. Lyukshin, the son of a senior official, is reportedly schooled in information warfare by Russian intelligence and propagandists, maintaining close ties to Moscow's upper echelons. Messages uncovered show EL glorifying President Vladimir Putin, offering Russian citizenship for attacks, and promoting anti-Ukrainian narratives.
Russian operatives executed their campaign remotely using social media and Telegram, creating fake online far-right and Muslim groups to organise vandalism and incite division within the UK. These channels spread disinformation about the arson motives, which were then amplified by figures such as far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Pattern of State-Backed Sabotage Across Europe
The attacks align with a discernible pattern of Russian-backed sabotage across Europe over the past five years, targeting Ukraine and its allies. Russia frequently recruits individuals as “proxies,” offering payment for acts of violence, sabotage, and espionage, often using multiple layers of intermediaries to obscure its involvement. Ukrainian nationals are disproportionately targeted for recruitment in these operations.
Prior to directing fake far-right groups, Lyukshin was involved in establishing a bogus Islamic organisation, the Takbir Foundation, which sought to recruit individuals to spray “sacred graffiti” in the UK. This initiative, like the later far-right groups, was designed to provoke societal division. The foundation offered payment for such acts, even to non-Muslims, demonstrating a cynical exploitation of religious and social tensions for destabilisation.
Official Responses and Continued Denials
The Russian embassy rejected any association with unlawful activities, asserting that Russia poses “no threat to the United Kingdom or its people.” Lyukshin did not respond to direct inquiries. However, hours after he was contacted regarding his involvement, several propaganda channels he was linked to, including those created by the sanctioned Russian state-controlled media organisation Rybar, disappeared online.
Ben Wallace, former Conservative Defence Secretary, stated that the evidence indicates a “very deliberate and definite escalation against the British state” by Russia, suggesting that such actions would originate from the highest levels of Russian command. Conversely, Commander Helen Flanagan of Counter Terrorism Policing London maintained that police have no conclusive evidence to link the attacks to a state-backed threat, despite sources privately confirming Russian involvement to the investigation.
