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Russian 'Arbat’ Battalion Leader Armen Sarkisyan Killed in Explosion at Moscow’s Elite Residential Complex

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Russian 'Arbat’ Battalion Leader Armen Sarkisyan Killed in Explosion at Moscow’s Elite Residential Complex
A lobby of the residential complex, where Armen Sarkisyan and his bodyguards were blown up. (Source: Zvezda)

An explosion occurred in the elite residential complex Aliye Parusa in northwestern Moscow on February 3, killing two people and injuring three others, according to Russian emergency services reported by TASS.

The explosion killed Armen Sarkisyan, founder of the ‘Arbat’ battalion, and head of the Boxing Federation of the self-declared ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’, as confirmed by Russian media outlet 112 and law enforcement sources to Interfax.

Sarkisyan, known as ‘Horlivskyi’ , reportedly lost his left leg in the explosion and was in a coma, according to Russian media 112. Later, Russian media updated that Sarkisyan died without regaining consciousness in intensive care. The second person killed in the explosion is believed to be his bodyguard.

The second deceased suffered severe facial injuries, making immediate identification difficult.

Other people injured in the blast are 49-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Kaspirovich of the Russian Interior Ministry, originating from Crimea, and 44-year-old Darya Karseladze. Kaspirovich sustained severe concussions and multiple shrapnel wounds to his head and neck and was taken to Moscow’s Sklifosovsky Institute for treatment.

He is listed in Ukraine’s ‘Myrotvorets’ database, which tracks individuals accused of crimes against Ukraine’s national security.

Another victim, Karseladze, suffered neck and leg injuries. She is conscious but unable to speak.

According to preliminary reports, an explosive device was detonated in the building’s elevator lobby, though its exact placement remains unclear.

Armen Sarkisyan, founder of the Russian ‘ArBat’ assault battalion and a close criminal figure to the former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. (Photo: open source)
Armen Sarkisyan, founder of the Russian ‘ArBat’ assault battalion and a close criminal figure to the former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych. (Photo: open source)

Russian ‘Arbat’ (short for '“Armenian Battalion”) Separate Guards Special Purpose Battalion is a special forces unit established in September 2022, reportedly made up of assault groups deployed to the front lines. Russian state media RT previously reported that the unit was led by former Wagner fighter Hayk Gasparyan, known by the call sign ‘Abrek.’

On July 1, 2023, ‘Arbat’ was formally integrated into Russia’s Defense Ministry as part of the ‘Pyatnashka’ international brigade. The battalion is currently operating in Russia’s Kursk region.

Ukraine’s military intelligence identified Sarkisyan as a criminal figure from Donetsk, linking him to the family of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. He was reportedly involved in organizing pro-government thugs, known as ‘titushky,’ who clashed with protesters during Ukraine’s 2014 Euromaidan uprising.

Since 2014, Ukraine has been seeking his extradition on charges of orchestrating murders in central Kyiv, including the killing of journalist Vyacheslav Veremiy, according to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office.

Sarkisyan was also sought by Armenian authorities. According to the country’s Investigative Committee, his “Arbat” battalion was involved in recruiting Armenian nationals to support Russia in allegedly preparing for a coup attempt.

Earlier, Sergei Yefremov, the vice governor of Russia’s Primorsky region and the commander of the ‘Tiger’ unit, was killed in the Kursk region. His vehicle reportedly struck a mine while returning from a combat mission.

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This is his call sign, which means Horlivka-born in Russian. Horlivka is a small town in Donetsk region of Ukraine that was occupied by the Russian forces in 2014.