Investigations by the BBC, Financial Times, and The Insider have revealed that a series of arson attacks in May 2025 on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's properties were orchestrated by Evgeny Lyukshin, a young Russian diplomat and son of a senior Russian Foreign Ministry adviser associated with the SVR. Two men, Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian citizen, and Stanislav Carpiuc, a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian origin, were convicted for carrying out the attacks. Lavrynovych was recruited by Lyukshin (Telegram nickname 'El Money'), who paid him to conduct propaganda, graffiti, and arson acts under the guise of a fake British far-right group 'Direct Action,' run by Russia-based operatives. These actions included arson attacks on Starmer's former car and homes in London and anti-Islamic graffiti. The group, linked to pro-Russian hacker resources and Wagner network chats, represents a hybrid warfare tactic targeting NATO countries through covert agitation and sabotage. The involvement indicates Russian state-affiliated signals/technical intelligence and unconventional paramilitary proxy tactics aimed at destabilization and political intimidation in the UK.

Investigations by the BBC, Financial Times, and The Insider have revealed that a series of arson attacks in May 2025 on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's properties were orchestrated by Evgeny Lyukshin, a young Russian diplomat and son of a senior Russian Foreign Ministry adviser associated with the SVR. Two men, Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian citizen, and Stanislav Carpiuc, a Romanian citizen of Ukrainian origin, were convicted for carrying out the attacks. Lavrynovych was recruited by Lyukshin (Telegram nickname 'El Money'), who paid him to conduct propaganda, graffiti, and arson acts under the guise of a fake British far-right group 'Direct Action,' run by Russia-based operatives. These actions included arson attacks on Starmer's former car and homes in London and anti-Islamic graffiti. The group, linked to pro-Russian hacker resources and Wagner network chats, represents a hybrid warfare tactic targeting NATO countries through covert agitation and sabotage. The involvement indicates Russian state-affiliated signals/technical intelligence and unconventional paramilitary proxy tactics aimed at destabilization and political intimidation in the UK.