**Russian Paramilitary Leader Dies in Moscow Explosion**
A leader of a pro-Russian paramilitary group in eastern Ukraine has died in hospital after being injured in an explosion in Moscow. Armen Sargsyan, the head of the “Arbat” battalion, was severely hurt in the blast at a residential building on Monday morning.
The explosion occurred 12 kilometers from the Kremlin and left others seriously injured. One bodyguard of Sargsyan’s is also reported to have been hurt. Some sources say another person may have died in the blast.
**Background**
Ukraine‘s security service, SBU, had previously accused Sargsyan of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine. He was on an international wanted list since May 2014 for his involvement in murders carried out in Kyiv.
The SBU also said that Sargsyan was part of the inner circle of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who is currently a fugitive.
**Investigation**
Russia‘s law enforcement officials are investigating the explosion. They say it was a carefully planned assassination attempt and are trying to identify those responsible.
**Reaction in Ukraine**
Ukraine has not yet commented on the blast. The town mayor of Horlivka, where Sargsyan was born, confirmed his death and praised him as the leader of a special forces battalion.
The “Arbat” battalion has been known to operate in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops are still present after their surprise offensive in August.