Explosion In Moscow Kills Battalion Founder, Injures Others

A helicopter of Russian Emergency Situations Ministry stands near an upscale residential block in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, where the blast has killed one person and wounded four others, R

An explosion occurred in an upscale residential block in Moscow early Monday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring three others. The incident also caused significant damage to the building, as seen in footage released by Russia's Investigative Committee showing shattered glass doors and a damaged ceiling.

While the exact cause of the blast has not been officially confirmed, reports from the state news agency Tass suggest that a bomb was planted in the building, according to an unidentified law enforcement source. The Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal inquiry into the matter, focusing on charges of murder, attempted murder, and arms trafficking.

One of the deceased individuals was identified as the founder of a volunteer battalion that had been involved in combat operations against Kyiv's forces in eastern Ukraine. The individual, who also headed a boxing federation in the Russian-controlled Donetsk region, passed away in the hospital following the explosion. Additionally, the bodyguard of the battalion founder was also killed in the blast.

Bomb suspected as cause; criminal inquiry focuses on murder, arms trafficking.

Explosion in upscale Moscow residential block kills two, injures three.

Founder of volunteer battalion involved in Ukraine conflict among deceased.

Security Service of Ukraine previously charged founder with illegal armed activities.

Founder accused of recruiting prisoners for combat operations in Ukraine.

Russian authorities have not directly linked explosion to Ukraine.

Significant damage to building seen in Investigative Committee footage.

State news agency Tass reports bomb planted in building.

Initial reports of one fatality and four injuries later clarified to two deaths.

Three individuals remain hospitalized for treatment.

Initially, authorities reported one fatality and four injuries, but later clarified that one of the injured individuals had succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Presently, three individuals remain hospitalized for treatment.

In a separate development, the Security Service of Ukraine had previously charged the battalion founder with participating in illegal armed formations and assisting in combat operations against Ukrainian armed forces. The founder was accused of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, collaborating with Russian security forces, and establishing an armed group known as the 'Armenian Battalion' or 'ArBAT.' The SBU alleged that the ArBAT group engaged in conflicts with Ukrainian forces in the Toretsk area of the Donetsk region and in Russia's Kursk region.

While the Russian authorities have not made any direct references to Ukraine in their statements regarding the explosion, Ukrainian officials have yet to provide any comments on the matter.