Three people died and at least 21 were injured in a massive bomb blast in the Russian capital Moscow on Saturday evening. According to Russian officials, the blast was caused by the explosion of a homemade bomb possessed by an unidentified woman. The incident took place outside a famous Italian restaurant in the central area of Moscow.
The blast occurred outside the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in Kudrinkskaya Square shortly before 8 pm local time. This restaurant is located inside one of the seven famous skyscrapers of Moscow from the Stalin era.
How did the explosion happen?
According to Russia’s Anti-Terrorism Committee, an unidentified woman was trying to enter the restaurant with explosives. The security guard present at the entrance stopped him. A few moments later the bomb exploded. The woman who brought the explosives, the security guard and a customer present in the restaurant died in the blast.
According to the police, at least 21 people have been injured in this blast. The injured have suffered different levels of injuries. After the blast, emergency services and heavily armed security forces reached the spot and surrounded and sealed the entire area. Till now the authorities have not made public the identities of the dead. It has also not been told who is suspected to be behind this attack.
How was the blast carried out through a woman?
Russian newspaper Kommersant, quoting sources, claimed that the real target of the explosive could have been the guests sitting on the outdoor summer terrace of the restaurant. The report also says that the bomb may have been detonated remotely (through remote) by some other person. According to sources, the woman who had the explosives, it is possible that she did not know that she was carrying a bomb.
Balzi Rossi restaurant management said that the restaurant was closed to the general public on Saturday because a private event was being organized there. This blast has happened at a time when the war between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for more than four years.
Earlier this year, Russia’s security agency FSB had said that it would further strengthen the security of senior military officers. Earlier, Moscow had blamed Kiev for several incidents of murders and attempted murders.
However, the investigating agencies have not yet established any connection between Saturday’s blast and those incidents. As of August 2, 2026, Russian authorities have neither released the names of the dead nor said which organization or individual is suspected to be behind the attack.