Moscow Apartment Blast Kills Notorious Eastern Ukrainian Warlord

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the revival of the Intervision Song Contest, an event originally launched during the Soviet era, as a response to the perceived decadence of modern Western culture. According to the decree signed by Putin on Monday, the event will be held in Moscow later this year with participation expected from China, Cuba, Brazil, and other allied nations. Putin's initiative comes after Russia was banned from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. The planned Intervision will focus on "traditional universal, spiritual, and family values," which contrasts with Eurovision's inclusion of LGBT+ themes. Documents obtained by Reuters indicate that the contest will prohibit politically themed lyrics and encourage artists to respect cultural and ethical traditions. Intervision was first launched under Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in the 1960s as a counter to the capitalist Eurovision, fostering collaboration among Eastern Bloc countries. The contest aims to highlight Russia's stance as a defender of conservative values amid increasing tensions with the West.

A powerful explosion rocked a luxury apartment building in northwest Moscow on Monday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including a prominent pro-Russian paramilitary leader, Armen Sarkisyan. According to state media reports, the blast occurred as Sarkisyan entered the building's lobby with his bodyguards. Initial reports indicated that Sarkisyan was critically injured but later confirmed his death at a hospital. One of his bodyguards also perished in the incident, with at least four others injured, as stated by local emergency services. The state news agency TASS identified the incident as a targeted attack, while Russian reporters noted significant police presence at the location, with a helicopter surveying the area. Footage from the scene depicted shattered glass doors and substantial damage to the lobby. Sarkisyan was accused by Ukraine's Security Service of being a "criminal boss" associated with armed groups in the conflict-torn region of Donetsk, which has been under Russian influence since 2014. As of now, there has been no official comment from Ukrainian authorities regarding the explosion.

A bomb explosion in the lobby of the Scarlet Sails luxury apartment complex in Moscow has resulted in at least one death and four injuries. The attack occurred as Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russian paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine, entered the building accompanied by bodyguards, according to Russian state media TASS. Footage from the scene showed significant damage, with shattered glass and debris scattered throughout the lobby. Sarkisyan, who has been characterized as a "crime boss" by Ukraine's SBU intelligence service, is critically injured and undergoing a leg amputation, reported RIA Novosti. Russian authorities are treating the incident as an "assassination attempt" and have launched a criminal investigation. "The assassination attempt on Sarkisyan was carefully planned and was ordered," a police official stated, as efforts to identify those behind the attack continue. The SBU previously alleged that Sarkisyan was involved in forming pro-Russian military groups in the Donetsk region, which has been under Russian influence since 2014. This incident follows a similar attack in December that killed Russian General Igor Kirillov outside a Moscow residence.