The incident raises questions about ongoing violence linked to the conflict in Ukraine.
**Pro-Russia Paramilitary Chief Dies from Moscow Explosion**
**Pro-Russia Paramilitary Chief Dies from Moscow Explosion**
Armen Sargsyan, leader of the "Arbat" battalion, succumbs to injuries after blast in residential area.
The leader of a pro-Russian paramilitary group, Armen Sargsyan, has passed away in a Moscow hospital following an explosion on Monday morning. Russian reports indicate that Sargsyan, who headed the "Arbat" battalion, sustained severe injuries when an explosion ripped through the entrance of a residential building located 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the Kremlin.
Immediately after the blast, Sargsyan was transported via helicopter to a hospital and placed in intensive care. Despite medical efforts, he ultimately died from his injuries. Other individuals, including a bodyguard, were also reported to have suffered serious injuries, with some sources claiming a further fatality resulting from the explosion.
Ukraine has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. Notably, the Ukrainian security service (SBU) had previously named Sargsyan as a suspect in activities such as recruiting prisoners to fight in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since May 2014, he has been on an international wanted list due to alleged involvement in murders linked to the unrest in Kyiv.
In light of the circumstances, a law enforcement official was quoted by TASS as suggesting that the attack appears to have been carefully orchestrated and ordered, mentioning that investigators are currently working to identify those behind the plot. Eyewitness accounts describe significant destruction at the blast site, with debris scattered across the entrance and damaged windows.
Local resident Olga Voronova expressed her fear and surprise regarding the incident, given the tight security measures in place in the area. Sargsyan was originally from Horlivka, a city in the conflict-ridden Donetsk region, which has been under Russian control since 2014. Ivan Prikhodko, the mayor of Horlivka, described Sargsyan’s notable contributions, including establishing a special forces battalion and leading the Boxing Federation of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
This incident is not isolated, as there have been multiple attacks on prominent proponents of Russia's military actions in Ukraine, both within Moscow and in occupied territories. Recent events include the deaths of a senior Russian naval officer and a prison chief due to similar violent acts, reflecting the turbulent environment stemming from the conflict that has gripped Ukraine.
