Armen Sargsyan, head of the "Arbat" battalion in eastern Ukraine, was fatally wounded in an explosion in northwest Moscow, leading to widespread concern and possible motives behind the attack.
Russian Paramilitary Leader Perishes Following Moscow Explosion
Russian Paramilitary Leader Perishes Following Moscow Explosion
A pro-Russian paramilitary commander succumbs to critical injuries after a deadly blast in a residential area of Moscow.
Armen Sargsyan, leader of the pro-Russian "Arbat" battalion in eastern Ukraine, has reportedly died after succumbing to serious injuries following a blast in a Moscow residential building. The explosion occurred in the entrance hall of an apartment complex located approximately 12 kilometers from the Kremlin, according to Russian news outlets. Sargsyan was airlifted to a hospital and placed in intensive care but later died.
The blast also left several others injured, including one of Sargsyan's bodyguards, with reports indicating that at least one more fatality may have occurred. In December, the Ukrainian security service SBU labeled Sargsyan as a "crime boss" involved in the recruitment of prisoners for combat in Ukraine, and he had been on an international wanted list since 2014 for alleged murders in Kyiv.
Russian law enforcement officials describe the attack on Sargsyan as a carefully orchestrated assassination attempt, with ongoing investigations into those who may have ordered it. Witnesses described heavy damage to the building, with debris littering the entrance area.
One nearby resident expressed confusion and fear, citing strict security protocols in the neighborhood. Sargsyan was originally from Gorlovka, a city in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region, and was noted for his leadership in forming a special forces battalion and holding a significant role in the Boxing Federation of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
The "Arbat" battalion has reportedly been active in Russia’s Kursk region amid the ongoing conflict following a surprise offensive by Ukrainian troops. This incident adds to a series of violent attacks on prominent supporters of Russia's military actions in Ukraine, underscoring the escalating tensions and instability surrounding the conflict.
