UK Arsonists Linked to Russia's Cryptocurrency-Funded Sabotage Efforts

Three men have been convicted of conspiring to commit arson and setting fires on properties linked to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The investigation, led by Counter Terror Police, found that the men were paid in cryptocurrency for their actions.

The men, Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc, both from Ukraine and Romania respectively, were sentenced to 7 years and 2 years in prison. A third man, Petro Pochynok, was acquitted of the charges.

Lavrynovych, who was described as 'utterly naive' by his defense barrister, had been recruited online by an anonymous account called 'El Money'. He was promised cryptocurrency payments for carrying out tasks, including setting fires.