Armenian citizen Armen Balyan, whom the Russian authorities accuse of being a mercenary, was arrested in Russia, the latter’s Investigative Committee informed, RIA Novosti reports.

In August, Balyan was accused in absentia of participating in the armed conflict by Ukraine, and an arrest warrant was issued for him, according to the Russian Investigative Committee. He was caught back in October, at Moscow Domodedovo Airport, when he was trying to cross the Russian border, but this was found out today.

"During the interrogation, Balyan admitted his guilt and gave detailed testimony, confirming the data found out earlier in the investigation that he participated in combat operations," also reads the Russian Investigative Committee statement.

According to Balyan, his military unit, which participated in the conflict in the Donetsk People's Republic, was dispersed due to heavy losses.

The Russian Investigative Committee adds that Balyan had sustained one of his injuries in Kherson Region when he was trying to go to the Dnieper River bank controlled by Russian troops. The accused stated that he is a citizen of Armenia only.