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An explosion occurred in a residential complex in Moscow on Monday, and according to preliminary data, among the casualties may be the founder of the Arbat special forces battalion, Armen Sarkisyan (also known as Armen Gorlovsky).
That’s according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing Russian media, Ukrinform reports.
According to numerous media reports and Telegram channels referring to law enforcement sources, the explosion was likely an assassination attempt. Russian media quoted law enforcement officials as saying that Armen Sarkisyan was killed in the blast. Other sources reported that he was severely injured.
The explosion occurred on Monday morning in the entrance of a residential complex. Residents told Sever.Realii that several ambulances and a fire truck arrived at the scene.
Russian Telegram channels distributed footage, allegedly from the building’s entrance, showing shattered glass covering the area. A person was lying on the floor receiving medical assistance.
The Telegram channel Baza reported that one person died in the explosion, while at least five others were injured. Russian media, citing emergency services, also confirmed one fatality.
Telegram channels suggest that an explosive device or a grenade may have detonated. Some media outlets reported that the deceased had severe facial injuries, making identification difficult.
Russian state media reported that a criminal investigation has been launched.
The Telegram channel VChK-OGPU was the first to report that Sarkisyan was likely killed in the explosion, citing the owners of the apartment he was allegedly renting.
Sarkisyan was the president of the so-called “DPR” Boxing Federation and the leader of the Arbat special forces battalion. This unit operates under the Russian Defense Ministry-controlled Redut private military company and participated in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In Ukraine, Sarkisyan is also suspected of organizing gangs of hired thugs, known as “titushky,” who attacked demonstrators during the 2014 Maidan anti-government protests.
In December 2024, based on materials from the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police, Sarkisyan, a criminal figure from Donetsk region during the era of fugitive President Viktor Yanukovych, was charged in absentia for recruiting prisoners to fight against Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian counterintelligence, the Arbat unit initially fought in the Toretsk sector before being redeployed to Russia’s Kursk region to assault Ukrainian defense positions.
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