A bomb explosion outside a central Moscow restaurant killed five people and injured 21, with authorities labeling the incident a terrorist attack.
Key facts
- •The explosion occurred Saturday evening at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow.
- •The death toll reached five people by Sunday, according to multiple Russian media outlets and the Russian Embassy in Italy.
- •The explosive device was equivalent to one kilogram of TNT and contained metal balls.
- •Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, who was reportedly celebrating his 55th birthday at the venue, was not injured.
- •The Russian Embassy in Italy accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack to target Italians in Moscow.
A bomb explosion outside the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening resulted in five deaths and 21 injuries. Russian authorities have classified the incident as a terrorist attack. The blast occurred shortly before 8 p.m. at a location situated within one of Moscow’s historic Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinskaya Ploshchad.
By the numbers
Circumstances of the Attack
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee reported that a woman attempted to enter the restaurant carrying a homemade explosive device. She was killed in the blast alongside a security guard who had intercepted her to inspect a package disguised as a gift. Reports from the newspaper Kommersant indicated the device was equivalent to one kilogram of TNT and packed with metal balls, with the force of the explosion throwing the attacker's remains 15 meters from the site. Some preliminary reports suggested the woman may have been unaware she was carrying a bomb.
Potential Targets and Official Response
Reports indicated the restaurant was hosting a birthday celebration for Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, the newly appointed commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces, who turned 55 on July 27. While Chaiko was reportedly not injured, unverified reports suggested his daughter may have been among the wounded. The Russian Embassy in Italy publicly blamed Ukraine for the attack, characterizing it as an attempt to intimidate Italians working in Russia. Neither President Vladimir Putin nor his spokesperson have issued comments, and Ukrainian authorities have not responded to the allegations.
Background on Alexander Chaiko
Colonel General Alexander Chaiko was appointed commander of Russia’s Aerospace Forces in May 2026. He has previously faced accusations regarding the killing of civilians in Bucha, Ukraine, in March 2022, during his tenure as commander of the Eastern Military District. Earlier this year, the European Union imposed sanctions on Chaiko, identifying him as a high-ranking military officer involved in the initial stages of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times.
