Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russian separatist leader from Ukraine, was killed in a bombing in Moscow, highlighting the volatile climate surrounding the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Pro-Russia Leader Killed in Moscow Explosion: Separatist Tensions Escalate

Pro-Russia Leader Killed in Moscow Explosion: Separatist Tensions Escalate
Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russian separatist founder, dies in a Moscow bombing, reflecting ongoing conflicts within and between nations.
On February 3, 2025, reports emerged from Russian media stating that Armen Sarkisyan, who founded a battalion that has fought alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, died following an explosion in the Scarlet Sails apartment complex in Moscow. The blast injured four others and led to a swift investigation by the Russian Investigative Committee.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the explosion took place in a gated residential area, a sobering reminder of the intense conflicts that have arisen in the ongoing war. While the officials confirmed Sarkisyan's death in a local hospital, they did not immediately disclose any suspects or the method by which the explosive device was planted.
Sarkisyan had faced serious allegations in Ukraine, including accusations of orchestrating attacks against opposition activists during protests in Kyiv back in 2014. His continued support for Russia's military actions in Ukraine had made him a contentious figure.
The mayor of Horlivka, where Sarkisyan was originally from, expressed condolences via a Telegram post and acknowledged the significant role the Arbat battalion played in maintaining security in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine's Donetsk.
The explosion raises questions about the safety of pro-Russian figures in Moscow amidst increasing tensions and retaliatory measures. This incident follows a previous high-profile attack last December, when Russian General Igor Kirillov was killed in a similar bomb explosion.
As inquiries into the blast continue, Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri S. Peskov, have refrained from making further comments, leaving the motivations and implications of this attack open to speculation.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the explosion took place in a gated residential area, a sobering reminder of the intense conflicts that have arisen in the ongoing war. While the officials confirmed Sarkisyan's death in a local hospital, they did not immediately disclose any suspects or the method by which the explosive device was planted.
Sarkisyan had faced serious allegations in Ukraine, including accusations of orchestrating attacks against opposition activists during protests in Kyiv back in 2014. His continued support for Russia's military actions in Ukraine had made him a contentious figure.
The mayor of Horlivka, where Sarkisyan was originally from, expressed condolences via a Telegram post and acknowledged the significant role the Arbat battalion played in maintaining security in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine's Donetsk.
The explosion raises questions about the safety of pro-Russian figures in Moscow amidst increasing tensions and retaliatory measures. This incident follows a previous high-profile attack last December, when Russian General Igor Kirillov was killed in a similar bomb explosion.
As inquiries into the blast continue, Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri S. Peskov, have refrained from making further comments, leaving the motivations and implications of this attack open to speculation.