Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok are Ukrainian nationals currently held on remand at HMP Belmarsh — the UK’s highest-security prison — charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, following a series of fires at properties linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in May 2025. Their trial is scheduled to begin on 27 April 2026 at the Old Bailey in London.
Who Are Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok?
Roman Lavrynovych is a 21-year-old Ukrainian national who was living in the United Kingdom at the time of his arrest. Petro Pochynok is a 35-year-old Ukrainian national who was also residing in the UK. A third defendant, Stanislav Carpiuc, is a Romanian national who faces the same charges alongside the two Ukrainians.
All three men appeared before the Old Bailey where they entered not guilty pleas to the charge of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. They were remanded in custody at HMP Belmarsh, London’s Category A high-security prison, where they have been held while awaiting trial.
Their case attracted significant media attention and raised serious questions about potential foreign state involvement, given the nature of the targets — properties directly associated with the sitting British Prime Minister.
The Arson Attacks on Starmer Properties
Over five days in May 2025, a series of arson attacks were carried out against properties in north London that had links to Sir Keir Starmer. Three separate incidents took place in quick succession:
On 8 May 2025, a Toyota RAV4 that had previously been owned by Sir Keir Starmer was set on fire in Kentish Town, north London. On 11 May 2025, the front door of a converted flat in Islington — a property linked to the Prime Minister — was set alight. Just one day later, on 12 May 2025, a house in Kentish Town where Starmer had lived before moving into Downing Street was targeted in a third arson attack.
No injuries were reported in any of the three incidents. However, the targeting of properties connected to the head of government was treated by police as a matter of the utmost seriousness, and the defendants were placed in HMP Belmarsh — a prison reserved for those deemed a significant risk to national security or public safety. You can read more about the types of offenders held there in our guide to what Belmarsh Prison is really like.
The Charges and Remand at Belmarsh
All three defendants face a single charge of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. This is a serious offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction. It is important to note that the case is not being treated as a terrorism matter, distinguishing it from other high-profile cases involving inmates at Belmarsh.
Lavrynovych and Pochynok have been appearing via video link from HMP Belmarsh during preliminary court hearings. Remand in a Category A prison such as Belmarsh prior to trial is unusual for non-terrorism charges and reflects the assessed level of risk the defendants are considered to pose, as well as the high-profile nature of the alleged targets.
The defendants have maintained their not guilty pleas throughout all court proceedings so far. As of the date of publication, no evidence has been tested before a jury.
The Trial: What to Expect in April 2026
The trial of Lavrynovych, Pochynok, and Carpiuc is scheduled to begin at the Old Bailey — formally known as the Central Criminal Court — on 27 April 2026. The Old Bailey handles the most serious criminal cases in England and Wales.
The prosecution will need to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the three men conspired together to commit the arson attacks and that they intended by doing so to endanger life. The defence will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence and present its own case.
The trial is expected to attract considerable public interest given the identity of the alleged target and the political context. If convicted, the defendants could face lengthy custodial sentences. If acquitted, they would be released from custody. If you want to understand more about how prisoners are categorised and held on remand, our guide to remand prisoners in the UK explains the process in detail.
Is There a Russian State Connection?
Speculation about possible Russian state involvement surfaced shortly after the arrests, given that the targets were properties associated with the British Prime Minister and that two of the defendants are Ukrainian nationals. Some commentators suggested the attacks could be connected to Russian intelligence operations targeting Western leaders.
However, it is critical to emphasise that no such connection has been established, charged, or alleged in any official court proceedings. The Metropolitan Police have not publicly attributed the attacks to any foreign state actor, and no terrorism charges have been brought. The defendants are charged solely with conspiracy to commit arson.
Any suggestion of a state link remains entirely speculative and unproven. The presumption of innocence applies in full, and the facts will be examined at the trial scheduled for April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok in Belmarsh?
Roman Lavrynovych and Petro Pochynok are held at HMP Belmarsh on remand. They are charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life in connection with fires set at properties linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in May 2025. They have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial at the Old Bailey on 27 April 2026.
What happened in the Keir Starmer arson attacks?
Three properties connected to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were targeted in arson attacks over five days in May 2025 in north London. The targets included a car previously owned by Starmer, a flat linked to him in Islington, and a house in Kentish Town where he used to live. No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
What charges do the defendants face?
All three defendants — Roman Lavrynovych, Petro Pochynok, and Stanislav Carpiuc — face a charge of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. This offence can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The case is not being treated as a terrorism matter.
When does the Starmer arson trial start?
The trial of the three defendants is scheduled to begin on 27 April 2026 at the Old Bailey in London. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty and the evidence will be tested before a jury at that hearing.
Is there evidence of Russian state involvement in the Starmer arson attacks?
No. There is no publicly confirmed evidence of Russian state involvement in the arson attacks. No terrorism charges have been brought, and the Metropolitan Police have not attributed the attacks to any foreign state actor. Any suggestions of a state link remain speculative and unproven.
