**Explosion Rocks Moscow Residential Complex**
On February 3, an explosion occurred in the lobby of the “Alye Parusa” residential complex in northwestern Moscow. The blast killed one man and injured four others, according to reports from emergency services.
The victim who was killed in the explosion is believed to be a security guard for Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russian collaborator wanted by Ukraine. Sarkisyan himself was injured in the blast and is currently hospitalized.
Sarkisyan is a crime boss with ties to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. He has been on the international wanted list since 2014 for organizing murders in central Kyiv. During the EuroMaidan Revolution, Sarkisyan was accused of hiring pro-government thugs to harass protesters.
After Russia’s full-scale war began, Sarkisyan organized a special forces unit called the “Arbat” Separate Guards Special Purpose Battalion, which is reportedly made up of ethnic Armenians.
**Update: Initial Reports Incorrect**
Some initial reports suggested that Sarkisyan had been killed in the blast. However, Kommersant has corrected this, stating that he was hospitalized and is in critical condition.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but Russian law enforcement suspects a murder plot. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims, and Ukraine has yet to comment on the incident.
**Links to Ukrainian Intelligence Services?**
While there is no evidence linking Ukraine directly to the explosion, Ukrainian intelligence services have been connected to several high-profile assassinations in Russia and occupied territories during the war.
In December, a Russian general was killed in an SBU operation in Moscow. This has raised questions about potential connections between Ukrainian intelligence services and attacks on Russian targets.
