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Updated 28 June 2026

BBC-linked investigation identifies Russian diplomat behind ‘El Money’ Starmer arson plot

Updated 28 June 2026, 00:00 UTC | London: A BBC investigation, reported by The Guardian and La Libre Belgique, has identified 23-year-old Russian diplomat Evgeny Lyukshin as the alleged online figure known as “El Money”, who prosecutors said directed arson attacks against property linked to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in May 2025. AP reported that Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were convicted and later sentenced for the plot, while the handler was not charged.

Belgium Impulse Editorial·28 June 2026·2 min read·5 sources
Key signal

The case shows how low-cost online recruitment, cryptocurrency promises and disinformation can turn ordinary criminal acts into political intimidation. For readers in Belgium and across Europe, the direct issue is not only UK domestic security. AP, NATO and Europol reporting place the case inside a wider pattern of suspected Russian-linked sabotage, arson and proxy activity targeting countries that support Ukraine.

The case centres on three fires in north London: a Toyota RAV4 formerly owned by Keir Starmer, a property connected to a company he had been involved with, and his former family home, where his sister-in-law was living. Prosecutors at the Old Bailey said the attacks were arranged through Telegram by a Russian-speaking contact using the name “El Money”. The Guardian reported that the BBC named Evgeny Lyukshin as the person behind the account, based on open-source material and online traces; that identity was not tested as a criminal charge in court.

Background

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO, Europol and European governments have warned of more sabotage, cyber operations, disinformation and proxy recruitment on European territory. NATO said in 2024 that allies were deeply concerned by hostile activity attributed to Russia, including sabotage and acts of violence.

OIS Intelligence

Impact

Regional — Belgium is not a direct target in this case. The Belgian relevance is indirect: Brussels hosts NATO and EU institutions that coordinate responses to Russian hybrid activity, and Belgian residents follow the same European security environment shaped by these operations.

Opposing perspectives

  1. BBC and Financial Times investigators

    Investigative reporting cited by The Guardian says digital traces, Telegram activity and other open-source material connect the El Money persona to Evgeny Lyukshin and to a wider Russian-linked influence and sabotage ecosystem.

  2. Russian embassy and Russian officials

    The Russian embassy rejected attempts to link Russia or its foreign ministry to unlawful activity. That denial matters legally because the Old Bailey case convicted the arsonists, not the alleged overseas handler or the Russian state.

  3. UK police and prosecutors

    UK authorities focused the criminal case on arson, conspiracy and risk to life. Police said the defendants had no proven ideological motive and that proving a state-directed operation in open court is harder than identifying suspicious methods.

Sources & evidence