On Monday morning, an explosion occurred in the lobby of an elite residential complex in the northwest of Moscow. According to "Interfax," medical personnel and police confirmed the death of one individual, while four others were injured.
Preliminary reports suggest that the target of the attack was Armen Sarkisyan, also known as Armen Gorlovsky. According to open-source information, he led the Boxing Federation of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" and was the founder of the special forces battalion "Arbat," which fought against the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas.
Ukrainian media, citing the Security Service of Ukraine, refer to him as a "criminal authority" close to the ousted president Viktor Yanukovych.
The body of the deceased has not yet been identified. Earlier, the Telegram channel Baza, linked to Russian special services, reported that Sarkisyan "survived and was hospitalized in one of the Moscow hospitals." The explosion victim may have been his bodyguard.
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion at the "Scarlet Sails" residential complex occurred when one of the residents entered the building along with security personnel. Preliminary reports indicate that a remote-controlled explosive device detonated in the lobby, as reported by Russian media.
Bomb disposal experts are checking other rooms and the surrounding area of the residential complex where the explosion took place, and are reviewing surveillance camera footage, according to law enforcement officials.
On December 17, 2024, Russian General Igor Kirillov, who headed the forces for radiation, chemical, and biological protection, was killed in a bomb explosion while exiting a residential building in Moscow.
In Southern Russia, Fuel Plants Caught Fire Due to Drone Attack
Several energy facilities in Russia caught fire following an attack by dozens of drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that air defense units intercepted 70 Ukrainian drones over Russian airspace overnight.
In Volgograd, a "massive" drone attack caused a fire at an oil refinery, according to a statement from the regional administration published on Telegram. There are no reported casualties.
Shortly before the airstrike began, a festive fireworks display was held in the city in honor of the 82nd anniversary of the Stalingrad Victory.
In the Astrakhan region, drones were directed at "fuel and energy infrastructure facilities," reported the regional governor Igor Babushkin, adding that "damage to hazardous chemical facilities" was avoided.
Temporary restrictions were imposed at several airports.
Ukraine confirmed the attack on these energy facilities but did not claim responsibility.
In recent months, Kyiv has intensified its airstrikes on Russian energy and military sites, describing it as a response to the ongoing shelling of Ukrainian cities and the energy grid by Russia.