Armen Balian, a 36-year-old Armenian citizen, was detained in Moscow for allegedly participating as a mercenary in military operations against Russia in Ukraine.
The Russian Investigative Committee reported that Balian traveled to Ukraine via Moldova in November 2022, joining territorial-defense units and engaging in combat in multiple regions.
Balian’s admission of his involvement in the fighting and his acknowledgment of being a mercenary raise questions about the legal implications for foreign fighters in the conflict.
The ongoing investigation into Balian’s case highlights tensions surrounding foreign involvement in the Ukraine conflict, as well as Russia's strict laws regarding mercenary activity.
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