Moscow restaurant bomb blast kills three, injures 21

MOSCOW: A powerful explosion caused by a homemade bomb killed three people and injured at least 21 others outside an upscale restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, prompting a major security operation and a high-level investigation by Russian authorities.

According to Russia’s Anti-Terrorism Committee, the blast occurred shortly before 8pm local time near the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant, located in one of Moscow’s iconic Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinskaya Square.

Officials said an unidentified woman carrying the explosive device attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard. Moments later, the bomb detonated, killing the woman, the security guard and a restaurant customer.

Police said the injured suffered wounds of varying severity and were rushed to nearby hospitals, while emergency responders secured the area and searched for further threats.

Video released by Russia’s state news agency RIA showed heavily armed security personnel and emergency crews surrounding the blast site, which was immediately sealed off as investigators gathered evidence.

Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims or indicated who may have been behind the attack. Investigators are examining multiple possibilities as the probe continues.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Russia, more than four years after the escalation of the war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced enhanced protection measures for senior military officials following a series of assassinations and attempted attacks that Moscow blamed on Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing unnamed sources, reported that investigators suspect the explosive device may have been intended to target guests gathered on the restaurant’s outdoor summer terrace. The report also suggested the bomb could have been detonated remotely, raising the possibility that the woman carrying it may not have known she was transporting an explosive.

The restaurant’s official website stated that it had been closed to the public on Saturday due to a private event, adding another layer of mystery to the incident.

As forensic teams continue examining the scene, authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation remains underway. The blast has once again highlighted ongoing security challenges in the Russian capital and raised fresh concerns about public safety in crowded urban areas.