Moscow restaurant bombing kills three and wounds 21

A bombing at a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday killed three people and injured at least 21, according to Russian authorities and multiple international outlets. The explosion, which occurred near an Italian eatery in Kudrinskaya Square, involved a homemade device carried by a woman, who was among the casualties along with a security officer and a customer, reports from state-run and independent media indicate.

Law enforcement and emergency services were seen at the scene, with images from Russian Telegram channels showing fire engines and ambulances outside the building. The Russian national anti-terrorism committee confirmed the attack, citing a Tass report that described the device as having detonated inside a restaurant. A statement from the committee identified the deceased as the woman carrying the bomb, a security agent who intercepted her, and a patron. The 21 injured sustained injuries of varying severity, though no further details were provided.

Several outlets emphasized the woman’s role in the incident. According to a statement from Moscow police cited by cnbctv18.com, the unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard. The explosion followed, killing the three individuals. A similar account appeared in aol.com, which noted that the woman died in the blast along with the security officer and a patron. The Balzi Rossi restaurant, located in one of Moscow’s Stalin-era skyscrapers, was described as having been closed for a private event on the day of the attack, according to sources from theadvocate.com.au and cnbctv18.com.

Conflicting details emerged regarding the bomb’s detonation method. A report from Kommersant, cited by cnbctv18.com and theadvocate.com.au, suggested the device was remotely triggered, with the woman potentially unaware of its nature. This contrasts with accounts from Russian state media, which did not specify the mechanism. Authorities have not publicly identified suspects or provided a motive, though the attack occurred amid heightened tensions following years of conflict with Ukraine.

Russia has experienced multiple terrorist attacks since the war in Ukraine began in 2022. The anti-terrorism committee’s statement referenced past incidents, including the 2024 killing of General Igor Kirillov and the 2023 assassination of pro-Kremlin blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. Earlier this year, the FSB reportedly increased security for military officials after a series of targeted killings it attributed to Ukrainian intelligence. The bombing in Moscow adds to a pattern of violence targeting public spaces and high-profile figures, though no group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack.

Witness accounts and media coverage highlighted the chaos following the blast. Aol.com quoted witnesses describing people being carried out of the restaurant “covered in blood,” while Russian state media released footage of heavily armed officers securing the area. The explosion occurred just before 8 p.m. local time, according to multiple reports, with investigators and forensic teams arriving at the scene to gather evidence.

International outlets varied in their casualty figures, with some citing 15 injured and others 21. The discrepancy reflects the challenges of verifying details in the immediate aftermath of such events. However, all reports consistently identified the woman, the security officer, and a customer as among the dead. The attack underscores the ongoing volatility in Moscow, where public spaces remain vulnerable to extremist acts despite heightened security measures.