Moscow, Russia — An explosion at an upscale residential complex in Moscow on Monday resulted in the deaths of a notorious eastern Ukrainian crime figure who had aligned himself with separatist forces, and one other individual, according to Russian media. The deceased, identified as Armen Sarkisian, was a prominent crime boss widely recognized for his role in forming a combat battalion opposing Kyiv.
The incident marks yet another violent episode inside Russian territory amidst ongoing regional conflicts. Sarkisian, who had been on Ukraine’s wanted list since 2014, allegedly participated in recruiting inmates to fight in Ukraine, as stated by the SBU, Ukraine’s security service. His death in a Moscow hospital followed initial reports that he had been seriously injured in the blast.
Authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into the explosion, treating it as a murder and an attempted murder case, highlighting the increasing number of high-profile attacks in the region.
The blast, which occurred as Sarkisian entered the building accompanied by security guards, led to immediate law enforcement and investigative actions at the site, located in northwest Moscow. A security guard was also reported dead following the explosion that shattered the entrance of the red-brick high-rise.
Residents and witnesses near the explosion site expressed shock and fear over the security breach. “I am very scared,” one local resident told reporters, emphasizing the normally stringent security measures in place at the complex.
The involvement of Sarkisian in the conflict stems from his leadership of a unit named “ArBAT” formed in 2022 to combat Ukrainian forces. According to the SBU, Sarkisian had connections with Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine’s ousted pro-Russian leader, and had overseen notorious activities in occupied Donetsk, including managing prison recruitments for the conflict.
Born in Armenia, Sarkisian migrated to Gorlivka in eastern Ukraine during his youth and adopted the pseudonym Armen Gorlovsky. Gorlivka has been under control of pro-Russian separatists since 2014, solidifying its strategic importance in the ongoing regional tensions.
This latest occurrence follows several recent targeted killings attributed to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Past incidents have included the assassination of Russian military figures and sympathizers of the Russian cause, indicating a pattern of escalating retaliatory violence amid the broader geopolitical strife.
Indeed, the incident joins a broader narrative of cross-border incursions and retaliatory strikes that have characterized the East European security landscape since the onset of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine in 2022.