The death of Armen Sargsyan, who led the “Arbat” battalion, comes amidst growing concerns over targeted attacks on Russian war supporters.
**Pro-Russian Paramilitary Leader Dies from Moscow Explosion Injuries**
**Pro-Russian Paramilitary Leader Dies from Moscow Explosion Injuries**
In the latest incident reflecting escalating violence related to the Ukraine conflict, Armen Sargsyan, a notable pro-Russian paramilitary chief, has reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained in a Moscow explosion.
Armen Sargsyan, the head of a pro-Russian paramilitary unit known as the "Arbat" battalion, has died following a blast in a residential area of Moscow on Monday. Sargsyan was gravely injured in the explosion at a building entrance located approximately 12 kilometers from the Kremlin. After the incident, he was airlifted to a hospital and admitted to intensive care but ultimately did not survive, as confirmed by sources on Telegram.
The explosion not only injured Sargsyan but also left several others, including one of his bodyguards, in critical condition. Reports suggest that there was also a fatality among the bystanders. The Ukrainian security service, SBU, had previously labeled Sargsyan as a "crime boss" and named him a suspect in recruiting prisoners to fight on behalf of Russia in the Ukraine conflict. He had been on an international wanted list for nearly a decade due to alleged involvement in high-profile murders in Kyiv, and he was linked to the inner circle of former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych.
Authorities have characterized the attack on Sargsyan as a premeditated assassination bid. Law enforcement officials indicated that investigations are underway to identify those behind the orchestrated attack, as reported by TASS. Eyewitness accounts describe a dramatic scene with debris scattered throughout the blast-damaged building, causing fear among residents.
Olga Voronova, a resident nearby, expressed her shock and confusion at the event, stating the building's security protocols seemed stringent, making the explosion all the more bewildering. Hailing from Gorlovka, a town under Russian control since 2014, Sargsyan was also recognized for his leadership of the Boxing Federation in the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, underscoring his prominence in local militant circles.
This incident raises alarms regarding the trend of high-profile assassinations involving prominent figures supporting Russia's military actions in Ukraine, echoing previous violent acts against military leaders and security officials in both occupied territories and Russia itself.
The explosion not only injured Sargsyan but also left several others, including one of his bodyguards, in critical condition. Reports suggest that there was also a fatality among the bystanders. The Ukrainian security service, SBU, had previously labeled Sargsyan as a "crime boss" and named him a suspect in recruiting prisoners to fight on behalf of Russia in the Ukraine conflict. He had been on an international wanted list for nearly a decade due to alleged involvement in high-profile murders in Kyiv, and he was linked to the inner circle of former Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych.
Authorities have characterized the attack on Sargsyan as a premeditated assassination bid. Law enforcement officials indicated that investigations are underway to identify those behind the orchestrated attack, as reported by TASS. Eyewitness accounts describe a dramatic scene with debris scattered throughout the blast-damaged building, causing fear among residents.
Olga Voronova, a resident nearby, expressed her shock and confusion at the event, stating the building's security protocols seemed stringent, making the explosion all the more bewildering. Hailing from Gorlovka, a town under Russian control since 2014, Sargsyan was also recognized for his leadership of the Boxing Federation in the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, underscoring his prominence in local militant circles.
This incident raises alarms regarding the trend of high-profile assassinations involving prominent figures supporting Russia's military actions in Ukraine, echoing previous violent acts against military leaders and security officials in both occupied territories and Russia itself.
