Moscow: Explosion kills Ukrainian assassination suspect
A man, accused by Ukraine’s secret services of organizing assassinations in Kyiv, has died in an explosion outside Moscow.
This tragic event followed an explosion at a residential complex in Moscow, as reported by Russian state news agencies on Monday.
The man, Armen Sargsyan, aged 46, suffered critical injuries during the blast at the Scarlet Sails residential complex.
Sadly, he later succumbed to those injuries while receiving intensive care at a nearby hospital.
The explosion took place in the morning, just when residents and commuters began their day.
As a result, at least four other individuals were injured, including the building’s concierge, who was attending to his duties.
Eyewitness accounts, along with footage from the scene, depict significant damage.
The lobby of the complex appeared largely destroyed. The shattered front entrance created a chaotic scene for all visitors.
Sargsyan, also known by the name Armen Gorlovsky, was a key figure in the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic.
He served as the head of the Boxing Federation. Additionally, he founded the Arbat volunteer battalion, a paramilitary group engaged in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Originally from Armenia, Sargsyan previously held Ukrainian citizenship and lived in Horlivka.
This area has been under Russian-backed control since 2014, which complicated his situation further.
In December, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) publicly labeled Sargsyan a “criminal authority.”
This designation highlighted his connections with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
These ties raised concerns about his influence and activities.
The SBU also indicated that he belonged to the inner circle of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
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He had appeared on an international wanted list since May 2014 for allegedly organizing murders in central Kyiv.
Reports from the Russian Telegram channel Mash suggest that the explosion occurred just as Sargsyan exited an elevator in the building’s lobby.
This timing played a crucial role in the tragic outcome.
In response, emergency services, including bomb disposal experts and sniffer dogs, were swiftly deployed to the site shortly after the blast.
Their efforts focused on ensuring public safety and determining the cause of the explosion.
This incident signifies another serious escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Furthermore, it raises implications about the increasing capability of Ukrainian operatives to execute operations deep within Russian territory.
The assassination follows a series of similar incidents, including the December killing of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov.
He was the head of Russia’s military unit for nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, dying in an explosion caused by a bomb hidden beneath an electric scooter.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukraine has faced accusations of orchestrating lethal operations on Russian soil.
Several high-profile assassinations have been attributed to Ukrainian or pro-Ukrainian actors, raising international concerns.
These events emphasize the escalating tensions and the potential for further violence.
As both sides continue to navigate this protracted conflict, the situation remains unstable and unpredictable.
As investigations into the explosion progress, the implications of Sargsyan’s death may echo throughout the ongoing conflict.
This raises significant questions about the effectiveness of security measures in Moscow, alongside the potential for retaliatory actions from both sides.
