- A bomb carried by a woman exploded outside Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, killing the woman, a security guard, and at least one other person while injuring 21.
- Authorities described the incident as a terrorist attack but did not say who the intended target was.
- Kommersant reported the device held about one kilogram of TNT packed with metal balls, and the attacker's remains were found 15 meters from the blast site.
- The death toll rose to five on Sunday, according to security-services-linked media and the Russian Embassy in Italy.
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin offered condolences and called the blast a brutal terrorist attack; the Russian Embassy in Italy blamed Ukraine.
- Reports said the restaurant was hosting a birthday celebration for Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, newly appointed commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces, who was not injured.
- The explosion occurred just before 8:00 p.m. close to Balzi Rossi, an upscale Italian restaurant located in one of Moscow's seven Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinskaya Ploshchad.
- The woman was killed in the blast together with a security guard who stopped her from entering.
- The guard reportedly decided to inspect the package disguised as a gift, which then exploded.
- According to preliminary reports, the attacker was likely unaware she was carrying a bomb.
- Chaiko's daughter, Maria Chaiko, may have been injured in the explosion, citing a source close to the restaurant's management.
- If confirmed, Chaiko would become one of the highest-ranking Russian generals to be targeted in an apparent assassination attempt since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
- Chaiko was appointed commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces in May 2026.
- He has been accused of involvement in the killings of civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha in March 2022.
At least five people were killed and 21 injured when a bomb exploded outside Balzi Rossi, an upscale restaurant in Moscow, on Saturday evening. The blast, described as a terrorist attack, occurred just before 8:00 p.m. as a woman attempted to enter the restaurant with a homemade explosive device.1248
The explosion, equivalent to one kilogram of TNT, was so powerful that the attacker’s remains were found 15 meters from the blast site. The woman and a security guard, who tried to inspect her package, were killed in the explosion. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin condemned the incident as a “brutal terrorist attack” but did not specify who was responsible.3569
Reports indicate the attack may be linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine, with speculation that the intended target was Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, who was celebrating his 55th birthday at the restaurant. Chaiko, recently appointed commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces, has been accused of involvement in civilian killings in Ukraine. The Russian Embassy in Italy has blamed Ukraine for the attack, claiming it was an attempt to intimidate Italians in Russia.
As investigations continue, neither President Vladimir Putin nor Ukrainian authorities have commented on the incident. The attack raises concerns about the safety of high-ranking officials in Russia amidst the ongoing conflict.
“At least three people died and 21 were injured when a kilogram of TNT packed with metal balls exploded outside Balzi Rossi; the toll later rose to five. The restaurant was reportedly hosting a birthday party for Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, newly appointed commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces, who was not hurt.”
The Moscow TimesThe Moscow Times
