An explosion ripped through a restaurant in downtown Moscow on the evening of the 1st. Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee confirmed the blast was triggered by a homemade explosive device.
According to the committee, at around 7:55 PM, an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant carrying the explosive device. A security guard stopped her, and the device was detonated, instantly killing the woman, the guard, and a customer. As of the latest update, the attack has claimed 3 lives and left 21 others injured. Investigators are currently looking into the incident.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin took to social media on the 2nd, calling the attack a “brutal act of terrorism.” The wounded remain hospitalized, and law enforcement is actively investigating. He insisted the culprits will be caught and face justice. Citing a source, REN TV reported on the morning of the 2nd that the death toll has climbed to 5, with 6 more in serious condition.
Kommersant, citing insiders, reported that the restaurant was hosting a closed-door private event with heavy security at the time. The target appeared to be guests seated on the terrace. The device, possibly remote-detonated, had the explosive power of roughly one kilogram of TNT. Some Russian media have quoted Stanislav, a former U.S. military officer, suggesting Western intelligence agencies and their Ukrainian proxies likely orchestrated this deadly blast.
Reports from outlets like Tsargrad TV, based on social media chatter, speculate the gathering might have been a birthday celebration for Alexander Chaiko, commander-in-chief of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, who turned 55. However, no official Russian source has confirmed this. Chaiko assumed his current post in May, having previously served as deputy chief of the General Staff.
