Recently, Vladimir Arsenyev, a retired army captain and current head of the Volna Central Research Institute, attempted self-immolation in Moscow’s iconic Red Square. Reports indicate that he remained unharmed and was later taken in for questioning by authorities, as reported by Russian media outlets Mash and Moskovsky Komsomolets.
The Significance of Red Square
Red Square is not only a historical site but also a symbol of Russia, featuring landmarks such as Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum.
The Volna Central Research Institute is a leading scientific organization in Russia, focusing on communications and navigation technologies that serve both civilian markets and the country’s defense sector.
Details of the Incident
The 74-year-old Arsenyev reportedly poured a flammable liquid over himself and ignited it near the Lenin Mausoleum. According to Moskovsky Komsomolets, he sustained only “minor burns” during the incident.
Eyewitness accounts shared by 360.ru suggested that police intervened quickly, preventing more severe injuries and prompting subsequent questioning of Arsenyev.
Arsenyev’s actions follow accusations from Russia’s Rostec State Corporation, claiming he disrupted a state defense order related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reports suggest that the Federal Security Service (FSB) has opened an investigation into his institute’s operations, which allegedly involved significant delays in fulfilling government defense contracts.
In response to the allegations, Arsenyev filed a defamation lawsuit, although it was later dismissed, as noted by Moskovsky Komsomolets without citing specific sources.
Looking Ahead
It remains uncertain whether Arsenyev’s act was intended as a protest or a gesture of self-harm. Self-immolation is an uncommon form of protest but has been seen in various political contexts, such as in February 2024, when Aaron Bushnell set himself ablaze outside the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C. to protest the Israel-Hamas conflict.