“‘Something Very Strange Going On’: TalkTV Star Hints at Russian Plot Behind Keir Starmer House Attacks

TalkTV’s International Editor Isabel Oakeshott has described the recent string of arson attacks on properties linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as “very, very strange,” suggesting they may be the result of Russian hybrid warfare tactics.

Speaking on TalkTV this morning, Oakeshott discussed the ongoing investigation that has seen three Ukrainian-born men charged with arson or conspiracy to commit arson. Authorities are currently probing whether the suspects may have been recruited by Russian operatives. According to The Financial Times, senior Whitehall officials have confirmed a potential Kremlin link is under serious examination.

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“It really is an extraordinary story,” Oakeshott said. “This is what everybody in political circles is talking about. If they’re not, they should be. Something very, very strange has gone on here. I wonder whether we’ll ever know [the truth].”

Referring to a recent Mail on Sunday report, Oakeshott pointed to the oddity of the suspects’ profiles and questioned the strategic use of Ukrainian nationals.

“People might be wondering, why would Russia use Ukrainian people to carry out something like this?” she said. “You could argue this is a classic of its kind – a Russian hybrid warfare operation just to throw out some confusion.”

She further speculated that the attacks’ low-level appearance could be intentional. “Let’s unsettle leaders. Let’s get everyone talking about whether this might be us. Let’s make it look not too professional, just because we don’t want it to look as if a state operator is behind it,” she explained.

Oakeshott also raised suspicions about the level of detail involved in locating and targeting Starmer’s properties and vehicle.

“Very, very few people know where Keir Starmer’s properties are and what car registration he has,” she said. “I’m a political journalist and I wouldn’t even know how to find that information. To have several addresses implies a very special level of knowledge. That means there’s someone very serious behind this – potentially a state operator – hence the MI5 probe.”

The suspects have been identified as Roman Lavrynovych, an aspiring model from Sydenham; Petro Pochynok, a fashion entrepreneur from Holloway; and Stanislav Carpiuc, a Romanian citizen born in Ukraine who speaks Russian.

All three have been charged with arson or conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the suspects had links to a “high-profile public figure,” prompting the involvement of counter-terrorism officers.

One fire destroyed a Toyota Rav4 once owned by Starmer, now belonging to a neighbour. Another damaged the front door of a former Islington residence, and a third targeted a £2 million Kentish Town property Starmer had previously let to a family member. No injuries were reported.

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© Andy Buchanan, AFP