Armenian citizen Armen Balyan was detained at Domodedovo Airport. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, he took part in military operations on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Balyan was detained back in October after he was put on the wanted list on charges of mercenarism.

The investigation believes that Balyan arrived in Ukraine in November 2022 and joined the territorial defense forces, taking part in battles in Donbas and the Kherson region until December 2023. During interrogation, the detainee admitted his guilt and confirmed his participation in the conflict on the side of the Ukrainian forces. Balyan said that his unit was disbanded because "there were almost no soldiers left in the ranks - most of them were wounded or killed."

Balyan is currently under arrest and facing charges of mercenarism. The case has drawn attention to the issues of foreign citizens participating in military operations in Ukraine and the liability for mercenarism under Russian law.