Russia has blamed Ukraine for a bombing at the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in central Moscow that killed five people and injured 19 others Theguardian. The explosion occurred on Saturday evening near the entrance to the upscale restaurant, which is situated on the ground floor of a high-rise apartment building on Kudrinskaya Square, one of the city’s seven Stalin-era skyscrapers Newsday.
Moscow Restaurant Bombing Kills Five as Russia Blames Ukraine
Russian prosecutors stated that an unidentified woman carrying an improvised explosive device attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard. The device detonated moments later Theguardian. The Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the bomb, hidden in a gift box and containing about 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of explosives with metal balls for lethality, was likely detonated remotely, and the woman carrying it may have been unaware of its contents Newsday.
Official Accusations and Diplomatic Repercussions
In a statement issued on Sunday, Russia’s foreign ministry accused Kyiv of carrying out the attack, declaring: The bloody tentacles of [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy’s terrorist gang have reached the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in Moscow
Theguardian. Additionally, the Russian Embassy in Rome on Monday blamed Ukraine, describing the incident as an attempt to intimidate the Italian community in Russia Inkl.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the bombing on Sunday as a brutal terrorist act,
though he did not assign responsibility Newsday. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee initially reported that three people were killed, including the woman carrying the device, a guard, and a guest inside, with 21 others injured Inkl. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the incident Theguardian.
Speculation Surrounding Potential Military Target
While Russian authorities have not officially identified an intended target or named the victims Theguardian, pro-Kremlin military bloggers and independent Russian media outlets reported that the attack may have been aimed at Col. Gen. Alexander Chaiko, commander of Russia’s aerospace forces Newsday. Reports indicated Chaiko was attending a private banquet at the restaurant to celebrate his 55th birthday Theguardian.
Photographs and videos appearing online after the blast showed a stage with the inscription “Aleksandr 55” in the background Theguardian. According to the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, Chaiko escaped unharmed, but his daughter Maria was seriously injured and her husband, Daniil Peredriy, was killed on the restaurant terrace Theguardian. Victims also reportedly included a member of Russia’s elite Federal Protective Service (FSO) Theguardian.
Context of Past Attacks on Russian Military Officials
Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for a series of bombings and attacks against senior military figures since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 Newsday. Past incidents include the February shooting of Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, who survived newsday.com; a December car bomb that killed Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov newsday.com; an April 2025 car bomb that killed Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik newsday.com; and a December 2024 scooter bomb that killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov newsday.com. Earlier this year, Russia’s Federal Security Service stated that security around senior military and government officials would be tightened following these attacks newsday.com.
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