Russian authorities have attributed a bomb attack at a Moscow restaurant on Saturday evening to Ukrainian operatives, resulting in five deaths and multiple injuries. The explosion took place near the entrance of the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in Kudrinskaya Square, a central area of the city.
Russian prosecutors reported that an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant carrying an improvised explosive device but was stopped by a security guard. The device detonated shortly after the intervention, killing five people and injuring 19 others. Among the fatalities was Daniil Peredriy, reportedly the husband of Maria Chaiko. Maria, who was seriously wounded, is the daughter of Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, commander of Russia’s aerospace forces.
Pro-Kremlin sources and independent Russian media have suggested that the attack may have targeted Chaiko, who was reportedly celebrating his 55th birthday at the restaurant during a private event. Photographs and videos circulated online appeared to show a stage decorated with the inscription “Alexander 55,” consistent with a birthday celebration. The Russian military commander, known for leading the unsuccessful assault on Kyiv in early 2022, is one of the country’s senior military figures. A Telegram channel known for leaking information from inside Russian security services confirmed that Chaiko was unharmed in the blast.
The Russian foreign ministry accused Kyiv directly in a statement issued Sunday, characterizing the attack as an act of terrorism orchestrated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration. The ministry said the incident demonstrated that "the bloody tentacles" of Kyiv’s forces had extended into Moscow.
Investigators have suggested that the woman carrying the bomb may have been unaware of the device’s nature, with some reports indicating that the explosion could have been triggered remotely, resulting in the death of the carrier herself. Additionally, sources said a member of Russia’s elite Federal Protective Service was among those killed.
Ukraine has not publicly responded to the accusations surrounding the bombing. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Ukrainian intelligence agencies have targeted numerous senior Russian military officials and Russia-installed figures, employing a mix of operatives and unwitting individuals in sabotage operations.
The bombing occurred amid continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory. Officials reported that Russian forces dropped eight glide bombs in a 90-minute span on residential areas in Zaporizhzhia, killing one person and injuring several others. This followed a series of missile strikes over the weekend on multiple Ukrainian cities, including an attack in Kyiv that left at least nine dead and numerous injured.