- A bomb explosion near an upscale Italian restaurant in central Moscow killed three people and injured at least 21 on Saturday evening in what Russian authorities described as a terrorist attack.
- The blast occurred shortly before 8pm local time outside the Balzi Rossi restaurant at Kudrinskaya Square, one of Moscow's landmark Stalin-era skyscrapers.
- Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee said an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard; moments later, the explosive device she was carrying detonated.
- The dead included the woman, the security guard, and a restaurant customer; at least 21 others suffered injuries, according to police.
- Authorities cordoned off the scene and launched an investigation but did not identify the victims or say who they believed was behind the attack; state news agency RIA Novosti showed heavily armed security forces securing the area.
- Kommersant reported the bomb was intended to target guests on the restaurant's outdoor terrace; it also said the device may have been detonated remotely and the woman carrying it may not have known it contained explosives.
- Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the explosion was caused by an IED which was detonated remotely.
- There was not yet any suggestion the explosion was linked to the war in Ukraine; the Kommersant reports have not been independently verified.
Three people were killed and at least 21 injured after a bomb exploded outside the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow on Saturday evening. The explosion, which occurred shortly before 8pm local time, was described by Russian authorities as a terrorist attack.123
According to Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee, an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard. Moments later, the explosive device she was carrying detonated, resulting in the deaths of the security guard, the woman, and another restaurant customer.456
The blast occurred at Kudrinskaya Square, a location known for its landmark Stalin-era skyscrapers. State news agency RIA Novosti reported that heavily armed security forces secured the area following the explosion. Authorities cordoned off the scene and initiated an investigation, but they have not yet identified the victims or the perpetrators.78
The Kommersant daily newspaper cited sources indicating that the bomb was likely intended to target guests enjoying the restaurant's outdoor terrace. Investigators believe the device may have been detonated remotely, and there is speculation that the woman carrying it may not have been aware it contained explosives. The explosion was confirmed to be caused by an IED detonated remotely, according to Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee. However, there is currently no indication that the incident is linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine.91011121314
These reports have not been independently verified.
“Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee said an unidentified woman tried to enter the Balzi Rossi restaurant but was stopped by a security guard before the device she carried detonated. The dead included the woman, the guard and a customer; at least 21 were injured, with no immediate suggestion of a link to the war in Ukraine.”
The Independent
