Russia accuses Ukraine over deadly bombing at Moscow restaurant
Five people died and 19 were wounded in an explosion outside an elite restaurant in Moscow; officials have accused Kyiv and media named Aleksandr Chaiko as a possible target.
An explosion on Saturday evening outside an upscale Italian restaurant in central Moscow killed five people and injured 19, Russian authorities said, while Moscow blamed Kyiv for the attack and Russian media circulated reports that a senior military commander may have been the intended target.
The blast occurred near the entrance of the restaurant located in one of Moscow's Stalin-era high-rises on Kudrinskaya Square. Russian prosecutors said an unknown woman carrying an improvised explosive device tried to enter the venue but was stopped by security.
The device detonated shortly afterwards. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared: "The bloody tentacles of Zelensky's terrorist gang have reached the Italian restaurant 'Balzi Rossi' in Moscow."
Several Kremlin-aligned military bloggers and some independent Russian outlets reported that the attack may have been aimed at Colonel-General Aleksandr Chaiko, commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who was allegedly attending a private celebration at the restaurant for his 55th birthday. Photos and videos that circulated online from the private event showed a stage with the inscription "Aleksandr 55".
The Telegram channel "VChK-OGPU," known for publishing material leaked from Russian security services, reported that Chaiko escaped unhurt. The channel said his daughter, Maria, suffered serious injuries in the blast while her husband, Daniil Peredriy, was killed; they were on the restaurant's terrace when the device exploded. Investigators cited by the newspaper Kommersant said they suspect the woman carrying the device may not have known she was transporting a bomb, suggesting the explosive could have been detonated remotely. The woman reportedly died in the blast. Among the victims was a member of the Federal Protective Service (FSO).
Russian officials have not publicly identified a confirmed target or released the names of the victims. Subsequent reports said two more people later died of their injuries. Authorities said investigators are continuing to probe the circumstances of the attack and the possible involvement of external actors.
Photo: press material from the event
