Following fires at properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Kremlin has rejected accusations of Russian involvement. British authorities have charged three men amid concerns over possible foreign destabilisation linked to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
A Kremlin spokesperson has downplayed allegations regarding Russia’s potential involvement in arson attacks that targeted properties associated with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. These incidents, which occurred between May 8 and May 12, involved fires at both Starmer’s former residence and a car he previously owned. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian spokesman, dismissed the ongoing investigation as typical commentary from London, stating, “London tends to suspect Russia of anything bad that happens in the U.K.” Peskov categorised such accusations as “groundless, unsubstantiated and often laughable.”
The incidents are currently under scrutiny by British security officials, who are exploring possible links to larger patterns of destabilisation attributed to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Although the motives behind the arson remain unclear, the nature of the attacks has drawn parallels to numerous incidents where Western officials have implicated Russian or Belarusian state actors in activities aimed at undermining political stability across Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The British authorities have charged three men connected to these incidents: Roman Lavrynovych, 21; Petro Pochynok, 34; and Stanislav Carpiuc, 26. Although none of the charges fall under terrorism or national security laws, the British Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division is overseeing the case due to the high-profile nature of the perpetrator involved. All three suspects are currently being held without bail, with a hearing scheduled for June 6 in London’s Central Criminal Court. While details remain sparse, charges include conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, which signals the potential severity of these actions.
The fires occurred on three separate occasions, with no injuries reported. Notably, a vehicle previously owned by Starmer—a Toyota RAV4—was set ablaze on May 8, a week before the prime minister’s office referred inquiries regarding the investigations to the Metropolitan Police, who have yet to issue formal statements connecting any foreign entities to the arson.
Last July, following his election, Starmer moved from his home into the official Prime Minister’s residence at Downing Street. In light of the recent attacks, he described the incidents as assaults on democracy and shared values. Additionally, the involvement of Ukrainian nationals in the charges has stirred discourse about the complexities surrounding loyalty and identity amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
Interestingly, these developments emerge against a backdrop of increased scrutiny over Russia’s broader strategies in Western politics. In recent months, intelligence experts have highlighted a pattern of Russian-backed activities aimed at sowing discord and destabilising support for Ukraine among its allies, with Richard Moore, head of Britain’s foreign intelligence services, previously characterising Russia’s campaigns as “staggeringly reckless.”
While authorities have not openly connected this incident to state actions emanating from Moscow, it reflects growing tensions and uncertainties regarding foreign interference in domestic matters, particularly as the geopolitical landscape shifts amidst the war in Ukraine.
In conclusion, while the Kremlin categorically denies involvement in these specific events, the investigation continues under a cloud of speculation and concern over potential foreign manipulation of internal affairs in the UK. The implications of such activities could pose significant challenges to political stability and public trust in government institutions, especially as the nation grapples with existing tensions.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/keir-starmer-dmitry-peskov-prime-minister-russia-kremlin-b2757981.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/kremlin-rejects-accusations-russian-involvement-uk-arson-attacks-2025-05-26/ – On May 26, 2025, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed allegations of Russian involvement in recent arson attacks targeting properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The incidents, which occurred between May 8 and May 12 in north London, involved fires at Starmer’s current and former residences, as well as a vehicle previously owned by him. British authorities have charged three individuals—a Romanian and two Ukrainians—in connection with the events, though none face accusations under terrorism or national security legislation. Peskov criticised London’s tendency to blame Moscow for domestic problems, calling such accusations baseless and often absurd. British authorities and police have not made any public statements implicating Russia and declined to comment on the allegations.
- https://apnews.com/article/7dbd49373f521c1ae78a3b398e517faa – Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has denied Russian involvement in recent arson attacks on properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The fires occurred in north London between May 8 and May 12, targeting a car once owned by Starmer and buildings where he currently or previously lived. Three men with ties to Ukraine—Roman Lavrynovych, Petro Pochynok, and Stanislav Carpiuc—have been charged and are being held without bail ahead of a June 6 court appearance. The Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division is handling the case due to the state-level implications. While Peskov dismissed the accusations as baseless, the attacks resemble previous cases Western officials attribute to Russian or Belarusian state actors aiming to sow discord in Europe since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Starmer and his family had vacated their private residence after his July election victory. Neither Starmer’s office nor UK authorities have commented publicly on a direct Russian link to the crimes.
- https://www.ft.com/content/0fb7a268-1bf6-4faf-ac60-67c53ddf1e62 – British security officials are investigating potential Russian involvement in recent arson attacks targeting UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The incidents involved fires at Starmer’s current and former residences in north London, including a car, and occurred earlier this month. Three men—two Ukrainians and one Romanian—have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Authorities suggest they acted alongside unknown co-conspirators, possibly recruited by Russian actors. While investigations continue and motives remain unclear, officials warn of potential links to a broader Russian campaign aimed at generating chaos across Europe amid the Ukraine war. UK counterterrorism police are leading the case but have filed criminal rather than national security charges. The suspects have shown no clear ideological ties to Russia. The attacks are seen as a concerning escalation, possibly jeopardizing stability and security if foreign involvement is confirmed. Sir Keir Starmer condemned the assaults as attacks on democracy and shared values. The suspects are expected back in court on June 6.
- https://apnews.com/article/e89c3cbd593f90e5961834888c7aaed0 – A second suspect has been charged in connection with a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Stanislav Carpiuc, a 26-year-old Romanian national born in Ukraine, was arrested at Luton Airport and appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on charges of conspiring to commit arson with intent to endanger life between April 17 and May 13. Carpiuc denied being present at the fire scenes and will remain in custody until his June 6 hearing at the Old Bailey, alongside co-defendant Roman Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old Ukrainian national also facing similar charges. A third unidentified suspect, a 34-year-old man, was arrested in Chelsea on Monday. The arson incidents occurred in early May and targeted Starmer’s former and current properties, as well as a vehicle he sold. No injuries were reported. Prime Minister Starmer and his family had moved into the official residence at Downing Street after his election in July. Investigations are ongoing.
- https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/third-man-charged-over-fires-properties-linked-uk-pm-starmer-2025-05-21/ – British police have charged a third man, Ukrainian national Petro Pochynok, with arson in connection to a series of fires tied to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The incidents, which occurred over five days earlier this month, involved fires at Starmer’s current and former residences in north London, as well as a car previously owned by him. Pochynok, 34, has been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and is scheduled to appear in a London court. Previously, two other individuals—21-year-old Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych and 26-year-old Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, who was born in Ukraine—were charged and remain in police custody. Authorities have confirmed that none of the accused have been charged under terrorism statutes or the National Security Act, which addresses hostile state activity. Prime Minister Starmer condemned the attacks, describing them as assaults on democracy and national values.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the earliest known publication date being May 26, 2025. No evidence of recycled or republished content was found. The report is based on a press release from the Kremlin, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quote from Dmitry Peskov, “London tends to suspect Russia of anything bad that happens in the U.K.”, appears to be original, with no earlier matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, The Independent, which enhances its credibility. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, is a verifiable public figure with a legitimate presence.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims are plausible and align with recent events. The narrative is covered by multiple reputable outlets, including Reuters and AP News, indicating consistency and reliability. The language and tone are consistent with typical reporting on such incidents.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reputable source. The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple reputable outlets. No significant issues were identified, leading to a high-confidence assessment.
