Bomb Blast in Moscow Kills Pro-Russian Paramilitary Leader Armen Sargasyan

A bomb explosion detonated in the lobby of a luxury apartment building in Moscow, leading to the death of Armen Sargasyan, a pro-Russian paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine, according to reports from Russian media. Sargasyan, who was critically wounded, subsequently succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The blast also killed one of his security personnel and injured three others, as reported by local health officials.

Officials believe that this assassination attempt on Sargasyan was premeditated and directed by unknown individuals who are currently under investigation, as stated by a law enforcement representative quoted by the state news agency Tass. A video shared by the Investigative Committee of Moscow showcased significant damage at the site, including shattered glass and debris littering the lobby.

Armen Sargasyan was notably involved in the "Arbat" unit, which included veterans from the Wagner Group, a controversial mercenary organization. This unit was reportedly named in connection with Sargasyan's Armenian heritage, and he had long faced accusations from Ukrainian officials regarding his involvement with illegal armed factions in the Donetsk region.

In a broader context, this incident coincides with Ukraine's drone strikes against Russian energy facilities, which have intensified the ongoing conflict. Ukraine's military claimed responsibility for targeting major energy resources, prompting Russia to label these actions as terroristic and a direct threat to their war effort.