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A deadly explosion in a luxury apartment complex in Moscow, Russia, has killed Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russian paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine. According to state news agency TASS, the blast occurred on February 3 as Sarkisyan, along with his bodyguards, entered the basement of the "Scarlet Sails" complex near the Moskva River, approximately 12 kilometers from the Kremlin. The explosion resulted in the death of one bodyguard and injured three others, reported the newspaper Kommersant. TASS stated that the bombing is considered a "well-planned assassination," with investigators currently working to identify those responsible. Sarkisyan, described by Ukraine’s SBU security service as a crime boss in the Donetsk region, had previously formed a pro-Russian military unit composed mainly of local convicts to support Moscow's military efforts. He was linked to illegal activities and had faced allegations of aiding armed groups. Since the conflict began in 2014, much of Donetsk has been under Russian control. There has been no immediate response from Ukrainian officials regarding the incident.

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.