At least three people were killed and 21 others injured after a homemade bomb detonated near a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, according to state authorities. The explosion occurred at approximately 8 p.m. local time (6 p.m. BST) on Kudrinkskaya Square, a prominent location in the city center.

The National Anti-Terrorist Committee reported that an unidentified woman carrying an improvised explosive device attempted to enter the Italian restaurant Balzi Rossi but was stopped by a security guard before reaching the entrance. The restaurant, which is housed in one of Moscow’s iconic Stalin-era skyscrapers, was closed to the general public at the time due to a private event.

State media confirmed that those killed in the blast included the woman, the security guard who confronted her, and a customer present at the scene. The explosion also caused injuries to 21 people, with hospital officials indicating the wounded suffered varying degrees of severity.

Reports on the specific target and motive remain unclear. The Telegram monitoring channel ASTRA indicated that a birthday party for a general was being held near the site of the explosion, although the details have not been independently verified. Meanwhile, Russia’s Kommersant newspaper, citing unnamed sources, suggested that the device was intended to strike guests on the restaurant’s summer terrace.

The same sources speculated that the bomb may have been detonated remotely by an individual other than the woman carrying it, raising the possibility that she was unaware that the package contained an explosive. Authorities have not yet confirmed this theory or released further information about possible suspects or motives behind the attack.

Investigations are ongoing as security officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the explosion and assess potential links to broader security threats within the capital.