A bomb explosion near a restaurant in central Moscow killed at least three people and injured more than 20 others on Saturday evening, local authorities reported. The improvised explosive device detonated close to the upscale Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in Kudrinskaya Square, one of the city’s notable Stalin-era skyscraper locations.
According to Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK), an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant carrying the explosive device but was stopped by a security guard. The blast occurred shortly thereafter, killing the woman, the security guard, and a customer inside the venue. Initial reports indicated three fatalities, though some media sources later cited unconfirmed claims that the death toll might have risen to five after two hospitalized victims reportedly succumbed to their injuries. There has been no official confirmation of the updated death count. Authorities also stated that at least 21 people were injured, with several in serious condition.
The restaurant was reportedly hosting a private event at the time of the attack. Independent Russian media suggested the gathering was linked to the birthday celebration of a Russian general, although the precise identity of the individual remains unconfirmed. Speculation circulated in Ukrainian media that the event could be related to Colonel General Aleksandr Chaiko, Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, but no authoritative sources have verified this connection. Observers noted the presence of vehicles with black license plates—typically associated with the Russian military—parked near the site.
The incident occurred amid an escalation of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine. Overnight before the bombing, Russia launched a heavy barrage targeting Kyiv, reportedly killing at least nine civilians and wounding dozens more. This followed similar large-scale attacks two days earlier that caused significant casualties across Ukraine, as Moscow appears to be intensifying assaults against the capital amid challenges posed by limited Western-supplied missile defense systems.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin expressed condolences to the victims’ families and vowed that those responsible for the attack would face justice. Meanwhile, speculation about the motives behind the bombing remains, with some social media discourse linking the explosion to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, although no official statement has confirmed such a connection.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack as security measures and counterterrorism efforts in the city are reportedly being heightened in response.