Armenian citizen Armen Balian, who fought alongside Ukrainian troops against invading Russian forces, has been detained in Moscow and charged with mercenary activity, the Russian Investigative Committee said on November 6. Balian, 36, was arrested at Domodedovo Airport last month upon his arrival to the Russian capital and charged with recruiting and participating as a mercenary in an armed conflict. According to the Investigative Committee, Balian traveled to Ukraine in November 2022 via Moldova and enlisted, participating in military operations as part of territorial-defense units. He served in various conflict zones, including the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions. Balian reportedly admitted to his involvement in the fighting and acknowledged his role as a mercenary in Ukraine. The case against him is still under investigation and further details are yet to be disclosed. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
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