Melkonyan gifts Zelensky Grad salvo in SMO zone
Arsen Melkonyan confirmed that he has been in the combat zone for a month. On his blog, he posted a video showing the use of a Grad multiple rocket launcher.
Apr 30, 2026 0
Footage from Arsen Melkonyan«s personal blog shows scenes from the special military operation zone.
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A resident of Volgograd, Arsen Melkonyan, previously convicted of murder but pardoned after participating in the special military operation (SMO), has again found himself on the line of contact. In his social media blog, he published a video where, against the backdrop of a salvo from a Grad multiple rocket launcher, he addresses a «gift» to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
In the footage, which judging by the snow was filmed in winter, Melkonyan is smoking while behind him a full salvo of 40 rockets is fired. His cap bears a patch with the insignia of the Wagner PMC.
In March 2022, Melkonyan was sentenced to 11 years in a strict-regime colony for the murder of realtor Roman Grebenyuk. The incident occurred after a conflict in a parent chat group in which Arsen«s sister Anush participated. Later, at a Sberbank office, Arsen struck Grebenyuk in the head, causing his death.
However, Melkonyan soon stopped appearing in court, having signed a contract with the Wagner PMC and gone to the SMO zone. In April 2023, he returned to Volgograd, but a month later he was arrested again on charges of threatening a judge and an FSIN employee. He was given a sentence of 3 years and 2 months in a penal colony and a fine, which was later increased to 250,000 rubles (approx. $2,500 at current rates).
At the end of May 2025, Melkonyan was released and created a social media blog. He recently confirmed that after the New Year holidays he left Volgograd and has been «where the shooting happens» for a month. He does not disclose his exact location.
Arsen«s sister, Armine, said she is in contact with her brother but refused to discuss his whereabouts. She noted that the family has gone through difficult times due to public attention to the case.
In a conversation with journalists, Melkonyan insisted on his innocence regarding the use of brass knuckles during the incident with the realtor. «I didn«t have any brass knuckles in my hands. There aren»t even brass knuckles in my criminal case,» he said.
In addition to the video with the Grad, a photo appeared on the blog showing Melkonyan with an assault rifle standing by a chapel with the inscription: «Christ is above us. Earth underfoot. Barrels in pocket. Forward, Christians!»
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