A homemade bomb detonated at an upscale Italian restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening (August 1), killing three people—including the female bomber—and injuring at least 21 others, according to Russian authorities.
The blast occurred at Balzi Rossi, a restaurant located in one of Moscow’s Stalin-era skyscrapers on Kudrinskaya Square, just before 8 p.m. local time. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK) reported that an unidentified woman attempted to enter the venue carrying an improvised explosive device. A security guard refused entry, and the bomb detonated, killing the woman, the guard, and a patron. Russian state media and officials described the incident as a ‘brutal terrorist act’.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the attack on social media, stating: ‘Yesterday, a brutal terrorist act was committed in Moscow that claimed human lives. The victims are currently in the city’s hospitals, where they are receiving all necessary care.’ He pledged that ‘those responsible for committing this crime will certainly be found and will face the punishment they deserve.’
Investigation and Casualties
The Moscow Investigative Committee confirmed the attack was under investigation as of late Saturday, with no public claims of responsibility. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that 21 people were wounded, including some in serious condition. Unverified reports from Russian media outlet REN TV suggested that two additional victims later died in hospitals, bringing the death toll to five, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Security Response
Footage from Russian state media showed heavily armed law enforcement officers, ambulances, and emergency vehicles cordoning off the area. The restaurant was hosting a private function at the time of the explosion, according to reports.
Speculation on Motives
While Russian authorities have not identified suspects or motives, unverified social media reports speculated a possible link to the war in Ukraine, suggesting a top Russian military commander may have been the intended target but was unharmed. Russia has previously blamed Ukraine for a series of assassinations and attacks on military officials, though no evidence has been publicly presented in this case.
Russian war bloggers, citing anonymous sources, have also suggested the bomber may have been an unwitting courier, unaware of the bomb’s contents. One former Alpha counter-terrorism unit veteran, Sergey Goncharov, theorized she may have been paid to deliver a package under false pretenses.
Official Statements and Condolences
Sobyanin expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee reiterated that the investigation was ongoing, with authorities working to establish the circumstances surrounding the blast.
As of early Sunday afternoon, no further updates had been released by Russian officials, and no group had publicly claimed responsibility for the attack.