The Kremlin dismissed as “laughable” recent reports that Russia may have been behind a series of arson attacks targeting properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded Monday to claims reported by the Financial Times, which cited unnamed UK security officials suggesting Moscow’s involvement.
“London tends to suspect Russia of anything bad that happens in the UK,” Peskov said. “As a rule, all these suspicions are groundless, unsubstantiated and often laughable.”
No injuries were reported in the fires, which took place over three nights between May 8 and May 12. Authorities confirmed that the targeted sites included a car Starmer once owned, the home where he previously lived, and an apartment building where he once resided. Starmer and his family had already moved out of the residence following his election in July.
UK counterterrorism detectives are investigating the case, with the Crown Prosecution Service’s Counter Terrorism Division handling charges. Three men of Ukrainian origin have been charged: Roman Lavrynovych, 21, faces three counts of arson with intent to endanger life; Petro Pochynok, 34, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, are charged with conspiracy to commit arson.
While UK prosecutors have not officially linked Moscow to the attacks, the incidents align with a broader pattern of suspected Russian state-sponsored disruption across Europe. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Western intelligence agencies have documented numerous cases of Russian or proxy involvement in cyberattacks, espionage, sabotage, and vandalism targeting European interests.
British intelligence chief Richard Moore last year labeled Russia’s campaign of sabotage against Ukraine’s Western allies as “staggeringly reckless.”
Prime Minister Starmer’s office, the Metropolitan Police, and the Foreign Office have yet to comment publicly on the Kremlin’s response or the ongoing investigation.
The arson attacks have intensified concerns in the UK and across Europe about the Kremlin’s willingness to use unconventional tactics to destabilize Western democracies. While Russia denies involvement, Western intelligence agencies have long warned of Moscow’s hybrid warfare playbook, which includes cyberattacks, disinformation, and physical sabotage. As the investigation unfolds, UK authorities are under pressure to strengthen counterintelligence efforts and protect key officials from similar threats. The Starmer case is a stark reminder that Russia’s reach extends far beyond Ukraine’s borders, and the West must remain vigilant against both overt and covert aggression.
