An explosion at a luxury Moscow restaurant on Saturday killed five people, injured several others, and was caused by a homemade explosive device, according to the National Antiterrorism Committee cited by the TASS news agency. Russian media reports indicate the blast may have targeted a high-ranking Russian military general linked by Ukraine to the Bucha massacre, though officials have not yet confirmed a political motive.
Blast Details at Kudrinsky Square
The explosion occurred around 20:00 local time (19:00 CEST) near the ground-floor summer terrace of one of Moscow’s iconic Stalinist skyscrapers on Kudrinsky Square, according to Russian police statements reported by Reuters. German news agency DPA noted that social media posts suggested the venue was hosting either a wedding or a birthday celebration for a high-ranking military official.
Russian media outlets Važnyje istorii (VI) and Novaja gazeta (NG) reported that the intended target could have been Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force. VI stated that Chaiko was not injured in the blast, while NG reported it remains unclear whether he was present at the venue or if his celebration was actually taking place there at the time of the explosion.
Casualties and Suspected Methods
A security guard and a female patron died at the scene after the woman attempted to bring the explosive device into the Balzi Rossi restaurant, according to DPA reports citing Russian media. The guard reportedly tried to prevent her entry before the device detonated. Initial reports had placed the total number of injured between fifteen and twenty.
The Kommersant daily, citing internal sources, reported that the bomb was designed to kill or injure guests socializing on the restaurant’s summer terrace. The publication added that the device may have been detonated remotely, meaning the woman carrying it might not have known she was transporting an explosive. Official restaurant notices confirmed the establishment was closed on Saturday for a private event.
Official Responses and Security Context
Russian state television initially broadcast claims that a gas canister caused the explosion, though Reuters noted this assertion could not be independently verified. Following the blast, the National Antiterrorism Committee confirmed the use of a homemade explosive device via TASS, but authorities have not yet publicly released the identities of the victims or named any suspects.
Reuters highlights that the domestic security service, the FSB, announced earlier this year—more than four years into the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine—that it was stepping up protection for high-ranking military commanders following a series of targeted assassinations blamed on Kyiv.
Did You Know?
The Stalinist skyscraper on Kudrinsky Square, where the Balzi Rossi restaurant is located, is one of the landmark “Seven Sisters” built in Moscow during the 1940s and 1950s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Moscow restaurant explosion?
According to the National Antiterrorism Committee cited by TASS, the blast was caused by a homemade explosive device.
Who were the casualties in the Balzi Rossi restaurant blast?
Five people died, including a security guard, a female carrier, a restaurant patron, and two individuals who later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Six others remain in critical condition.
Was a military general targeted in the attack?
Russian media outlets including Važnyje istorii and Novaja gazeta reported that Colonel General Alexander Chaiko may have been the intended target, though authorities have not officially confirmed a political motive or the target’s identity.
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