Founder of pro-Russian group dies in explosion in Moscow

Founder of pro-Russian group dies in explosion in Moscow

The founder of a pro-Russian militia group in the eastern Ukrainian region described by authorities in Kiev as a "criminal mastermind" has died after a bomb attack in central Moscow, Russian state media reports.

Details on the death of Armen Sarkisyan

Armen Sarkisyan died in a Moscow hospital on Monday from injuries sustained in an explosion at an upscale apartment complex in the capital, the TASS news agency reported, citing medical services. The Russian Investigative Council later confirmed Sarkisyan's death, stating that "despite the assistance provided, one of the victims died in a medical facility."

Background and activities

Sarkisyan, who was known by the nickname “Armen Gorlovsky” and was from the eastern Ukrainian town of Horlivka, founded the separatistArbat battalion, which is fighting in the region. Ukrainian military counter-intelligence described him as a “known criminal mastermind” who became a “warden” of prisons in Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine in November 2022.

Objectives of the Arbat battalion

Ukrainian defense intelligence reported that the creation of the Arbat battalion in 2022 was an attempt to counter the influence of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in the area of ​​private military companies in Russia. Prigozhin died the following year when his plane crashed two months after his failed coup attempt against the Russian leadership.

Participation in decisive battles

The Arbat battalion took part in several key battles in the current war in Ukraine, it saidInstitute for the Study of War (ISW). According to the US Conflict Monitor, as of October 2023 Arbat consisted “almost entirely” of former Wagner employees.

Political connections and escape to Russia

Sarkisyan was an ally of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who resigned following deadly protests in Ukraine in 2014 fell and fled to Russia, according to Ukrainian authorities. Sarkisyan was wanted in Ukraine for his alleged role in the violent response to these anti-Yanukovych demonstrations.

Explosion in the apartment complex

A local resident reported that Sarkisyan was leaving the exclusive Aliye Parusa residential complex in northwest Moscow on Monday morning when the explosion occurred. In a press conference on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the incident, saying: "The security services are doing their work. It is a difficult task. The information is still being clarified and the work is underway, so we cannot say anything about it at the moment."