A bomb explosion that killed a pro-Kremlin paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine may have been a suicide attack, Russian media reported Tuesday, pointing out law enforcement sources.Armen Sarkisyan, creator of the Arbat Battalion, which defends Russia in Ukraine, passed away from his injuries after being hospitalized Monday.
Another individual was also killed, and four others were wounded in the blast.The leading theory is that the explosion in the Scarlet Sails residential complex was committed by a suicide bomber, the Interfax news agency priced estimate an unnamed law enforcement authorities as saying.Early indications are that he detonated an explosive gadget that he brought with him.Surveillance video footage supposedly revealed a Soviet-era anti-personnel mine taking off near a man who greeted Sarkisyan in the structure lobby, the Kommersant business daily, likewise pointing out police sources, reported.Initial unproven reports suggested the bomb might have been planted in the corridor before the attack.
Fingerprint information suggests the believed bomber might have been an Armenian national with a prior criminal conviction, according to Kommersant.Authorities are examining a power struggle or blood feud as a possible intention, Interfax reported.
If evidence of Ukrainian involvement emerges, the case may be reclassified as a terrorism investigation.Kyivissuedan arrest warrant for Sarkisyan in 2014 over violence versus pro-EU protesters.
Ukraines SBU security servicesdescribedhim as a criminal authority with connections to former president Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia in 2014.
HisArbat Battalion, which combats as an irregular on the side of Russia in its war against Ukraine, is made up of around 500 individuals, the majority of whom are ethnic Armenians.In December, Ukraine noted Sarkisyan as a suspect in a continuous investigation into Russias recruitment of detainee fighters for the war.