A homemade explosive device detonated at a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, killing three people and injuring at least 21 others. The blast occurred just before 8 p.m. at the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant, located in one of the city's historic Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinskaya Square. Russian authorities have confirmed that the incident is being treated as a targeted attack, though they have not yet identified a perpetrator or motive.
According to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, the explosion was triggered when an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant with the device. A security guard reportedly stopped her at the entrance, preventing her from reaching the interior of the venue. The woman, the security guard, and a restaurant patron were killed in the resulting blast. The injured individuals, who suffered wounds of varying severity, were treated by emergency services at the scene.
Local reports indicated that the restaurant had been closed to the public for a private event at the time of the explosion. Some sources suggested the presence of high-ranking military officials in the vicinity, though this has not been officially confirmed. Heavily armed law enforcement and forensic specialists cordoned off the area to conduct an investigation, while fire engines and ambulances remained on-site throughout the night.
This incident follows a series of high-profile attacks in Russia over the past several years, often targeting public figures or individuals associated with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Russian officials have previously blamed Ukrainian intelligence for similar acts of sabotage and assassinations, no group has claimed responsibility for this latest bombing. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the origin of the device and the identity of those involved.