The mother of a Ukrainian man jailed for carrying out arson attacks on property linked to Sir Keir Starmer broke down in tears when she discovered the reason for his arrest, saying: “When I realised it involved the British Prime Minister, I didn’t want to live anymore.”
Nadiia Lavrynovych, 41, speaking from the family home in Pniv, Ukraine, told The Sun on Sunday she was baffled how her “good, decent” son Roman, 22, could be persuaded to attack a car and two properties connected to the prime minister. “Like every Ukrainian he has been so grateful for your (Britain’s) support,” she said.
“Mother of Ukrainian arsonist jailed for targeting Starmer says she wanted to die after learning his crime.”
Roman Lavrynovych was jailed for seven years at the Old Bailey on Friday after being found guilty of conspiring to damage property by fire. Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, a Ukrainian-born Romanian national, received a two-year sentence for his supporting role in what the judge described as “utterly reckless” attacks.
The court heard the attacks were ordered on behalf of Russia. Lavrynovych was recruited by a Russian-speaking Telegram user known only as “EL”, who promised him payment. The judge, Mr Justice Garnham, called Lavrynovych a “useful idiot” who was “easily bought” and had “accepted the job as you had accepted other grubby little tasks” – including putting up far-right posters for the same handler.
On 8 May 2025, a Toyota car previously owned by the prime minister was found on fire on a street he used to live on in Kentish Town. Three days later, a fire was discovered at flats linked to Sir Keir in nearby Islington, which he had lived in years before. The following day, a fire was found at the entrance to his Kentish Town home, which he still owned and was renting to his sister-in-law, Judith Alexander. She told the trial of billowing black smoke going up the stairs while she, her daughter and her partner were inside.
After carrying out the arson, “EL” contacted Lavrynovych on 12 May, saying he would receive cryptocurrency and should throw away his clothes. He urged him to leave the city, but Lavrynovych was arrested hours later after officers stormed his home in Sydenham. In police interview, Lavrynovych said he had no idea who the prime minister was and had not heard of Keir Starmer.
James Scobie KC, representing Lavrynovych, said he was a “complete and utter foot soldier” and “fodder for this type of infiltration”. He told the court his client was remorseful, adding that a message from “EL” had made clear that damaging the front door was enough as long as it generated media coverage. Lavrynovych was offered £3,000 in cryptocurrency but was never paid.
A third man, Petro Pochynok, 35, was found not guilty of the conspiracy charge.
Nadiia Lavrynovych insisted her son had been tricked by Russia and remained baffled how someone with strong anti-Russian views could be persuaded. She said he preferred living in the UK to Ukraine because he had more prospects there.