A woman carrying a homemade bomb set off an explosion near a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, killing three people and wounding at least 21 others. The blast has sparked speculation online that it might be connected to the war in Ukraine.
Police said the explosion happened just before 8pm local time (6pm UK time) close to an Italian restaurant located in one of Moscow’s seven Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinskaya Square.
According to Russia’s anti-terrorism committee, as reported by the state RIA news agency, an unidentified woman with an improvised explosive device tried to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard. The woman, the guard, and a customer at the Balzi Rossi restaurant were killed in the blast.
On Sunday, REN TV cited a source saying two people taken to hospital later died from their injuries, which would raise the death toll to five, though this was not officially confirmed. The channel also reported that six people were in serious condition.
Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and vowed that those responsible would face justice. In a statement on Sunday, he called it a “brutal terrorist attack” carried out in Moscow.
Heavily armed law enforcement officers sealed off the area after the attack. Authorities did not release the names of the dead or injured, nor did they identify any suspects. Unverified social media posts suggested a senior Russian military commander may have been the intended target but was unharmed.
More than four years into the full-scale war with Ukraine, Russia has promised better protection for high-ranking military officials this year, following a series of assassinations and attempted killings it blames on Kyiv. Russian war bloggers, without offering evidence, quickly pointed the finger at Ukraine for this latest attack. Kyiv has not commented so far.
The daily newspaper Kommersant suggested the woman carrying the bomb may not have known about it, and that it was detonated remotely by someone else.
The restaurant’s website said the venue was closed on Saturday for a private event. The nature of the attack echoes a bombing in 2023 that killed Vladlen Tatarsky, a Russian pro-war blogger. A young woman, Darya Trepova, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for delivering a bomb hidden inside a statuette that exploded in his hands. She claimed she acted on instructions from a man in Ukraine who had sent her money. Senior Ukrainian officials at the time neither claimed responsibility nor denied involvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the incident in Moscow written in a clear and natural tone
FAQs Explosion in Moscow
1 What exactly happened in Moscow
A bomb exploded in Moscow killing at least three people Reports indicate the device was carried by a woman and detonated causing the casualties
2 Where did the explosion take place
The reports dont specify an exact address but it occurred in Moscow Officials are likely to release more specific location details as the investigation progresses
3 Who was the woman carrying the bomb
At this time the identity and motives of the woman are unknown She is believed to have been killed in the blast Authorities are investigating her background and connections
4 Was this a terrorist attack
While it is being treated as a major incident it has not been officially classified as terrorism yet Russian authorities are investigating all possibilities including terrorism but no group has claimed responsibility so far
5 Who were the people killed
The identities of the victims have not been officially released yet At least three people are confirmed dead and there may be others injured
6 Is this connected to the war in Ukraine
Its too early to say Given the current geopolitical climate its a possibility investigators will explore but there is no evidence to suggest a connection at this time Its important to wait for official statements
7 How did the bomb detonate
The details of the detonation mechanism have not been released The fact that it was carried by a woman suggests it may have been a suicide bombing but this is not yet confirmed
8 What should I do if Im in Moscow right now
If you are in Moscow you should follow the instructions of local law enforcement avoid the area of the incident and monitor official news sources for updates Do not spread unconfirmed rumors
9 Where can I find reliable updates on this story
For accurate information check major international news outlets and official statements from the Russian Investigative Committee or the Moscow Mayors office Be wary of information shared on social media that hasnt been verified
10 Has this happened before in Moscow
Yes Moscow has experienced terrorist attacks and
