Yanukovych-era criminal boss recruited prisoners for war against Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
The SBU served a notice of suspicion to Armen Sargsyan, who is hiding in the occupied territory of Donetsk region. He created the “ArBAT” group of repeat offenders and provides the occupiers with resources.
Criminal authority from Donetsk region Armen Sarkisyan, who is hiding in the temporarily occupied territory of the region and cooperates with the Russian Federal Security Service, was served with a notice of suspicion, UNN reports with reference to the SBU.
Details
The SBU notes that Sarkisian, known as "Armen Horlivskyi," was part of Viktor Yanukovych's entourage and has been on the international wanted list since 2014 for organizing murders in the center of Kyiv.
After the war broke out, he was tasked by the FSB to create a militant group to fight against Ukraine. Sargsyan headed the ArBAT, which consisted of repeat offenders and recruited prisoners to participate in the war. At first, the group operated in the Toretsk sector, and then was sent to the Kursk region to storm Ukrainian positions.
At the same time, Sargsyan uses companies under his control to supply thermal imagers, fuel and construction materials to the occupiers. The SBU served him with a notice of suspicion in absentia for aiding the aggressor and participating in illegal armed groups.
An investigation is underway to find and punish Sargsyan for his crimes against Ukraine.
