An explosion has hit an elite apartment complex in northwestern Moscow, leaving at least one person dead and several others injured, officials have said.
The blast occurred in a building at the Alye Parusa residential complex located on the banks of the Moskva River.
According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, at least one person was killed in the explosion, with four other people injured.
Media reports suggest that the blast was intended as a hit on Armen Sarkisyan, the founder of the Arbat Battalion fighting against Ukrainian forces, with media reports indicating that he was seriously injured. Sarkisyan is listed in the notorious Ukrainian Mirotvorets database – often referred to as a ‘kill list’ – due to his support for Moscow’s special military operation.
Later, the Shot and Baza Telegram channels reported that Sarkisyan died in the hospital.
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03 February 2025
The explosive device was planted in Alye Parusa this morning, TASS has reported, citing law enforcement agencies.
Russian law enforcement agencies are investigating the explosion at the elite residential complex, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. “The information is being clarified; the work is underway. For now, we can’t comment on this.”
According to TASS, the device that went off in the Alye Parusa had a TNT equivalent of up to 1kg.
A delivery person or a utility company employee could have sneaked an explosive device into the elite residential complex, TASS has reported, citing a law enforcement source.
Armen Sarkisyan, the founder of the Arbat Battalion, who was reportedly the main target of the explosion, is on the notorious Ukrainian state-linked Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) database, often described as Kiev’s “kill list.”
The database describes Sarkisyan as a “traitor” collaborating with Russia, as well as “an accomplice to the crimes of the Russian government against Ukraine and its citizens.”
Moscow’s branch of the Investigative Committee has released a video showing the hallway of the building, which has been wrecked by the explosion. The ceiling sustained particularly serious damage.
The condition of Sarkisyan, the founder of the Arbat Battalion, who was allegedly hit by the explosion, is unclear, with Interfax reporting that he was killed. However, according to Mash, Sarkisyan is currently in serious condition and receiving treatment.
Four people injured in the explosion are in serious condition, TASS has reported, citing Moscow’s Health Department.
Those injured have been transported to a hospital by a medical helicopter, according to a video shared by Shot and several other media outlets.
According to media reports, the Arbat Battalion, which was founded two years ago, initially fought Kiev’s forces in Donbass before being redeployed to Kursk Region to repel Ukraine’s large-scale incursion last summer.
Armen Sarkisyan, the founder of the Arbat Battalion fighting against Ukrainian forces, was among those wounded in the explosion, Shot reports, citing sources.
The outlet says that Sarkisyan, who is also the president of the Boxing Federation of the Donetsk People’s Republic, may have been the primary target of the assassination, with the explosion occurring as he was walking down the hallway accompanied by his security detail.
Footage provided to RT shows the glass entrance to the building, which has been shattered by the explosion. First responders are seen working at the site.
The explosion at the Alye Parusa complex appears to be a contract hit, RBK reports, citing a law enforcement source, adding that preliminary data indicates that the explosive was detonated remotely.
“It is obvious that the explosion was prepared in advance. Law enforcement agencies are currently studying the footage from CCTV cameras,” the source says.
Mine clearance specialists are searching the underground parking area for explosives, while also checking for other suspicious items and vehicles, Shot has reported, adding that police have not ruled out that a car not belonging to any of the building’s residents could have been used by the perpetrator.
Three of those injured in the explosion are in serious condition and have been taken to intensive care, Mash reported. The outlet identified the victims as a concierge and four residents of the complex.
The blast took place in a hallway near the elevators, Baza reports, citing preliminary data. So far, it is unclear where the explosive device was planted, it has said.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has confirmed the blast, stating that the authorities have opened a criminal investigation, with operatives working at the scene.