Concerns about security and political stability in the United Kingdom have intensified once again following the recent charges against another Ukrainian individual as part of an investigation into a series of arson attacks related to the country’s former Prime Minister, Kira Starmer
The case, which has garnered significant public attention, involves 34-year-old Ukrainian citizen Petro Pochynok, who was detained the day before and accused of conspiring to commit arson that could have endangered the lives and safety of residents. According to information provided by London police, Pochynok was arrested on Monday, May 19, in the west of the UK capital. A few days later, on Wednesday, May 21, he appeared before a Westminster court, where serious charges were brought against him. The documents allege his conspiracy with two other individuals, as well as unidentified persons, whose malicious intentions involved setting fires aimed at damaging property and vehicles linked directly or indirectly to former British Prime Minister Kira Starmer. The charges stem from three fires that occurred between May 8 and May 12 in the northern part of London. All these incidents provoked considerable public resonance, as preliminary reports indicate that their targets were property associated with Starmer’s personal life and political career—who previously led the country. Notably, a car was damaged, which the former PM sold to his neighbor earlier that same year, along with several other properties. Of particular significance in this case was the arson attack on a house in Islington on May 11 and a building where Starmer had previously lived and worked before his government tenure. The confirmed fire near the entrance of that house on May 12 was also reported—BBC notes that the property is now rented by a relative of the former Prime Minister. Although Starmer denies any involvement in the fires and calls these incidents "an attack on all of us, on democracy, and on the values we uphold," law enforcement officials emphasize the seriousness of the situation and the need for further investigation. It is also important to mention that other suspects are involved in the case. Previously, 21-year-old Roman Lavrynovych, a Ukrainian citizen, was charged with three counts of arson intended to threaten lives. Additionally, a 26-year-old man of Romanian origin, Stanisław Karpuk from Romford, has been questioned and charged with conspiracy to commit arson, which may be significant for the overall investigation. All suspects are scheduled for court hearings on June 6. The investigation covers multiple incidents of fires occurring between May 8 and May 12—including at sites that symbolize the former Prime Minister’s political ambitions and personal history. The motive behind these arsons is likely linked to widespread social unrest and the mobilization of political forces aiming to intimidate opponents or diminish the reputation of the ex-leader. Ultimately, this string of incidents is already considered one of the most aggressive and complex in recent years, as the arson of a vehicle and several property objects connected to Starmer represent not only criminal acts but also a political signal of unrest and potential escalation of tensions within British society, especially amid upcoming elections and significant political developments. Meanwhile, experts emphasize that such cases reflect deeper societal issues—unresolved conflicts and pressing security concerns that require not only swift law enforcement response but also broad societal dialogue on ways to address and prevent similar incidents in the future.