At least three people were killed and 21 others injured after a homemade explosive device detonated outside an Italian restaurant in central Moscow, according to Russian state media citing security officials.
The explosion occurred at about 8:00 p.m. local time on Kudrinskaya Square, a busy area near the Russian capital’s city centre.
Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee said a woman carrying the explosive device attempted to enter the Balzi Rossi restaurant. She was, however, stopped by a security guard at the entrance. The device exploded moments later, killing the woman, the security guard and a visitor who was attending a private function inside the restaurant.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, while heavily armed security personnel cordoned off the area. Authorities have not identified the intended target of the attack or announced any arrests.
However, the incident is likely to fuel speculation about possible links to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In recent years, several senior Russian military officials have been assassinated in and around Moscow, with Russian authorities accusing Ukraine of carrying out those attacks. Kyiv has not publicly commented on this latest explosion. Initial reports suggested the blast occurred inside the restaurant’s kitchen.
The restaurant later issued a statement clarifying that the explosion happened outside the building.
Balzi Rossi is located inside one of Moscow’s iconic Stalin-era skyscrapers, a landmark in the Russian capital. Following the explosion, roads around Kudrinskaya Square were temporarily closed as investigators examined the scene. An evening cycling event that had been scheduled nearby was also cancelled due to the security operation.
Footage released by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti showed heavily armed law enforcement officers securing the area. While emergency crews responded to the blast. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine who was responsible and the motive behind the attack.
