A jury in London found two men guilty on 15 June 2026 of plotting arson attacks on homes and a car belonging to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The fires actually took place in north London in May 2025, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were convicted of conspiracy—meaning they planned the attacks together. Lavrynovych was also found guilty of two counts of arson for being reckless about whether the fires could harm people. He was cleared of the most serious charge: intentionally setting fires to endanger lives. A third man, Petro Pochynok, was also named in the case.

Here's what makes this case more than just a crime story: the attackers were recruited through a secret messaging network. They used Telegram, an encrypted app, where Russian handlers gave them instructions and money, the New York Times reported. This is a familiar tactic. Russian intelligence agencies use these hidden online channels to find people in Western countries willing to carry out attacks. The people doing the actual work take all the risk; the handlers in Russia stay invisible.

When the verdict came in, PM Starmer first said he was "very pleased for my family's sake," according to BBC News. Three days later, on 18 June, he used much stronger language. He called the attacks "deeply concerning and reckless" and said directly that Russia was behind them using proxy actors, The Guardian reported.

Why did Starmer change his tone? Before a court verdict, leaders are usually careful not to blame another country—they want to see the evidence tested in court first. Once a jury has ruled guilty, that political caution drops away. Starmer could then speak openly about Russian involvement as prime minister.

For people watching this case, the big picture matters more than the legal details. Yes, it was important that the jury found a conspiracy—proof the attacks were planned. Yes, the recklessness conviction matters in sentencing. But what really concerns governments is what the case reveals: a foreign power recruiting people inside Britain, using encrypted apps to hide, and attacking the prime minister's family. That's the threat.

Britain has spent the last few years pointing out more and more hostile actions by Russia: poisonings, hacking attacks, and sabotage attempts across Europe. This attack on Starmer's home fits that pattern—cheap to carry out, easy to deny responsibility for, and designed to show that Russia can reach inside British society.

Court dates for sentencing had not been set when this was published. It was unclear whether the third defendant, Pochynok, would face trial, be released, or face other legal action.