A. Gasparian, the commander of the Russian battalion 'ArBat', has been announced dead at the age of 34. He was a former member of the Wagner military group and had participated in significant battles near Soledar and Bakhmut. His death is part of a broader context of ongoing conflicts involving Russian forces in the region. Details surrounding his death were not disclosed by sources.

Gasparian had recently been awarded an honor medal by Russian President Vladimir Putin, recognizing his service after he had previously served a prison sentence for armed robbery. This background reflects the complex relationships formed within military structures in Russia where individuals with criminal pasts are sometimes integrated into combat roles, particularly in controversial groups like Wagner and its associated battalions.

The 'ArBat' battalion was established in 2022 by crime boss Armen Sarkisian, known as Gorlovskiy, and was affiliated with the international brigade 'Piatnaška' serving in the capacity of assault troops. After Sarkisian's assassination in 2025, Gasparian took over leadership. The current conflicts involving these battalions indicate ongoing volatility within the Russian military framework and raise concerns about the implications of such leadership on future operations.