Putin’s close associate critically injured in assassination attempt, another killed in bomb blast
A high profile assassination attempt has shaken Moscow, leaving one of President Vladimir Putin’s close associates seriously injured.
The attack, which took place in the heart of the Russian capital, has intensified security concerns and raised questions about political tensions within the country.
According to N12 News, reports, the victim whose identity has not yet been officially confirmed was attacked in what authorities are calling a deliberate and well-planned operation. The incident occurred in a high-security area, underscoring the boldness of the assailants. Security forces quickly responded, and an investigation is now underway to determine who was behind the attack and what their motives were.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attack was carried out with precision, possibly by professional assassins, fueling speculation about whether it was a political hit or linked to internal power struggles within Russia’s elite circles.
This assassination attempt has sent shockwaves through Russia’s political and security establishment, as the injured official is reportedly a key figure within Putin’s inner circle. Given the heightened geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, as well as internal political struggles, speculation is rife about whether this was an act of domestic opposition, foreign interference, or even a rift within the Russian elite.
Kremlin spokespersons have yet to release a detailed statement, but sources suggest that security measures have been tightened around key government officials. Some analysts believe that this incident could trigger a broader crackdown on opposition figures or perceived threats to the Putin administration.
Russian authorities have launched a full scale investigation, with law enforcement and intelligence agencies working to track down the perpetrators. Given the sensitive nature of the attack, there are concerns about how it will influence Moscow’s political landscape, especially as Russia prepares for future elections and navigates ongoing global tensions.
With Putin’s government already facing economic sanctions, international isolation, and internal dissent, this assassination attempt could mark the beginning of a new phase of instability within Russia’s power structure.
Meanwhile, a Moscow apartment bomb has killed pro-Putin collaborator as Ukraine struck energy plants.
A pro-Russian separatist, known to be a close associate of ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, was the alleged target of an explosion in Moscow
A senior eastern Ukrainian separatist who had organised combat units to fight against his own country has reportedly been killed following an explosion in northwest Moscow.
At least five people were wounded or killed after what has been reported as a bomb detonated at the Alye Parusa residential complex in the capital.
Russian state media site Tass claimed Armen Sarkisyan, 46, a senior pro-Russian paramilitary from east Ukraine’s Donetsk region, died in hospital after being seriously injured in the explosion. They added the claim that the explosion had been an “assassination” attempt. One of Mr Sarkisyan’s bodyguards was killed immediately by the blast.
Mr Sarkisyan is a close associate of Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin former president Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted after the Euromaidan revolution in 2014. Ukraine’s security services, the SBU, says Mr Sarkisyan has been on their international wanted list since then for organising murders in central Kyiv.
After the full-scale invasion in 2022, Mr Sarkisyan also reportedly organised the “Arbat” Separate Guards Special Purpose Battalion to fight against Ukraine.
It comes as Ukraine struck energy facilities in southern Russia with dozens of drones, triggering fires at a major oil refinery and gas processing plant and disrupting flights from the Volga to the Caucasus Mountains, Russian and Ukrainian officials said.
