Founder of Armenian Battalion ‘Arbat’ Dies After Explosion in Moscow Residential Complex

Armen Sarkisyan, also known as Armen Gorlovsky, has died in intensive care after sustaining severe injuries in an explosion at the elite residential complex "Alye Parusa" in northwest Moscow, law enforcement sources told Interfax.

The Russian Investigative Committee (SKR) confirmed that one of the victims succumbed to injuries in the hospital despite doctors’ efforts. Earlier, Interfax sources reported that Sarkisyan had been killed in an assassination attempt but later clarified that he had been taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The explosion occurred in the entrance of a residential building on Aviatsionnaya Street in Moscow on Monday. According to law enforcement officials, one person was killed, with their identity yet to be determined, while four others were hospitalized with varying degrees of injuries. The Interior Ministry (MVD) stated that the blast damaged the glass facade on the first floor of the building and caused heavy smoke.

The SKR has launched a criminal case under articles related to murder, attempted murder, and illegal arms trafficking. “The investigation continues under charges outlined in Part 3 of Article 30, Paragraphs ‘a’, ‘e’, ‘zh’ of Part 2 of Article 105, Paragraphs ‘e’, ‘zh’ of Part 2 of Article 105, and Part 4 of Article 222.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (attempted murder of two or more persons; murder using a method dangerous to the public; illegal arms trafficking),” the committee stated.

Investigators are reviewing footage from surveillance cameras, questioning witnesses, and conducting forensic examinations. “Operational search activities are being carried out to identify the person responsible for this crime,” officials said.

According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Sarkisyan had been on the international wanted list since May 2014 on suspicion of organizing killings in central Kyiv. Since 2015, his name has also appeared in the Myrotvorets database, which claims he was involved in illegal armed groups.

Sarkisyan was the head of the Boxing Federation of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and the founder of the volunteer battalion "Arbat" operating in the combat zone. In 2022, the battalion, composed mainly of ethnic Armenians, was publicly blessed at the main cathedral of the Russian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

In the fall of 2024, Armenian authorities announced they had thwarted an attempted coup in the country, allegedly involving representatives of the "Arbat" battalion.

In early 2024, a scandal erupted in Moscow following a road altercation involving Sarkisyan’s daughter and Chechen MMA fighter Rasul Ochaev, which, according to media reports, ended in a shootout in the city center.

As of now, Russian authorities have not made any official statements regarding the possible motives behind the crime or the suspected perpetrators.