On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Old Bailey in London became the stage for a high-profile legal drama involving alleged arson attacks on properties linked to Britain’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. Two Ukrainian nationals, Roman Lavrynovych, 21, and Petro Pochynok, 35, appeared via videolink from HMP Belmarsh, each firmly denying charges that they plotted to set fire to homes associated with the country’s top government official. A third man, Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, also appeared remotely from the same prison but did not enter a plea at this hearing, as reported by The Telegraph and Evening Standard.
The accusations against the trio are grave. Prosecutors allege that Lavrynovych, Pochynok, and Carpiuc conspired to damage by fire property belonging to another, specifically with the intent to endanger life or, at the very least, with reckless disregard for whether lives might be at risk. The case, however, does not involve terrorism charges or any violations of the National Security Act, according to officials cited by The Telegraph. That distinction is significant, as it places the alleged offenses within the realm of serious criminal activity rather than acts of political violence or terror.
The incidents at the heart of the case unfolded over a tense five-day period in May 2025. The first alleged attack occurred on May 8, when a car was set ablaze on a residential street in Kentish Town—an area in north London that was once home to Keir Starmer before his move to 10 Downing Street. Just three days later, on May 11, a fire broke out at a converted apartment building in Islington, another address tied to Starmer’s past, where he lived in the late 1990s. The following day, in the early hours of May 12, another fire ignited at the same Kentish Town address where the car had been burned days earlier.
According to Evening Standard, police were alerted by the London Fire Brigade at 1:35 a.m. on May 12 to reports of a fire at the Kentish Town residence. The blaze caused damage to the property’s entrance. Firefighters had already been called to tackle a smaller fire at the front door of the Islington property days before. These events, occurring in quick succession and all linked to homes associated with the Prime Minister, have raised serious concerns about the safety of public officials and the security of their private residences.
During Friday’s hearing, all three defendants followed the proceedings with the assistance of a Ukrainian interpreter, ensuring they understood the legal process unfolding before them. Judge Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb presided over the session, describing the circumstances surrounding the alleged offenses as “somewhat opaque.” Her comment, as reported by The Telegraph, hints at the complexity and perhaps the lack of clarity in the evidence or motives presented thus far.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, the case is not being treated as one of national security or terrorism. Instead, prosecutors are focusing on the alleged conspiracy to commit arson with the potential to endanger lives. The precise motivations of the accused remain unclear, and the court has not disclosed any information suggesting a political or ideological motive behind the attacks.
Lavrynovych, who resides in Sydenham, south-east London, and Pochynok, from Holloway Road in Islington, north London, both entered not guilty pleas. Carpiuc, of Chadwell Heath in east London, will formally enter his plea at a later date. All three men remain in custody as they await further court proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for November 28, 2025, with a provisional trial date set for April 27, 2026. The trial is expected to take place at the Old Bailey and will be overseen by a High Court judge, according to Evening Standard.
The charges the men face are not to be taken lightly. The allegation of conspiring to damage property by fire with intent to endanger life carries severe penalties under British law. If convicted, the defendants could face lengthy prison sentences, reflecting the heightened risk posed by arson attacks—especially when linked to individuals in positions of national leadership.
The Kentish Town property targeted in the attacks holds particular significance. It was the home of Sir Keir Starmer before his ascent to the role of Prime Minister. The car set alight on May 8 was reportedly his former 4x4, and the subsequent fires at the same address and in Islington underscore the personal nature of the alleged plot. While Starmer and his family have since moved to 10 Downing Street, the attacks have undoubtedly rattled nerves and prompted questions about the adequacy of security measures for current and former residences of prominent politicians.
Throughout the proceedings, the defendants have maintained their innocence. Their not guilty pleas set the stage for what promises to be a closely watched trial. The involvement of foreign nationals—two Ukrainians and a Romanian—adds another layer of intrigue to the case, though authorities have not suggested any broader international or political dimension to the alleged crimes.
As the legal process moves forward, the public and political community alike are left to ponder the motivations behind the alleged arson plot. Was it a personal vendetta, a misguided act of protest, or something else altogether? For now, as Judge Cheema-Grubb noted, the circumstances remain “somewhat opaque.”
In the meantime, all three men will remain behind bars, awaiting their day in court. The outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications—not just for the accused, but for the security protocols surrounding public officials and the legal treatment of serious arson cases in the UK.
The events of May 2025 serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that can persist even for those at the highest levels of government. As the trial date approaches, the nation will be watching closely, seeking answers to questions that, for now, remain stubbornly unresolved.
