Bomb at luxury Moscow apartment block kills pro-Russia paramilitary leader

According to reports from Russia's TASS news agency and other Russian media outlets, an explosion occurred in a luxury apartment building in Moscow, resulting in the death of a pro-Russian paramilitary leader. The incident took place in the "Scarlet Sails" apartment complex on the Moscow River embankment, just 12 kilometers from the Kremlin.

The victim was Armen Sarkisyan, from eastern Ukraine, and the explosion occurred in the lobby of the apartment building where he resided. According to Kommersant, in addition to Sarkisyan, a bodyguard was also killed, and three other bodyguards were injured. TASS stated that the explosion, which occurred on Monday local time, was a carefully planned assassination attempt.

It is reported that Sarkisyan was the founder of a volunteer battalion in Ukraine that participated in fighting in Ukraine. He also served as the president of the boxing federation in the Russian-controlled Donetsk region of Ukraine. TASS quoted a law enforcement official as saying, "The assassination attempt on Sarkisyan was carefully planned and had masterminds behind it. Investigators are currently working to identify those responsible."

Baza, a Telegram channel with ties to Russian security services, also released videos showing extensive damage to the building's lobby. Reuters reporters at the scene observed police conducting investigations, shattered windows, and helicopters being used to transport the injured. Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched dozens of missiles and drones into Ukraine, resulting in 15 deaths.

Last December, the Ukrainian security services claimed that Sarkisyan was a criminal ringleader in the Donetsk region, which has been largely controlled by Moscow since 2014. The Ukrainian side stated that he was officially suspected of participating in and assisting "illegal armed groups." They also stated that he formed a pro-Russian military unit composed of local prisoners and organized the procurement of supplies for front-line troops. Furthermore, the Russian independent media outlet Mediazona reported that Armenian-born Sarkisyan had long been an organized crime figure in the city of Horlivka in the Donetsk region. The media outlet also noted that in 2022, he formed a pro-Russian paramilitary unit, mainly composed of ethnic Armenians, to fight against Kyiv's forces.

Last December, Ukraine claimed responsibility for the explosion outside a Moscow apartment building involving Russian General Igor Kirillov. Regarding Monday's explosion, the Ukrainian side has not yet issued an immediate comment.