Moscow restaurant bomb kills three, targets Russian aerospace forces chief

The attack

On the evening of August 1, around 20:00 local time, a homemade bomb detonated at the entrance of the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow. The restaurant was hosting a private party for about 50 guests. A young woman approached carrying a box she described as a gift, but a security guard stopped her from entering. The device, packed with metal balls, was detonated remotely, killing the woman, the guard, and one guest instantly. Initially, authorities claimed a gas explosion, but the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK) later confirmed it was a homemade explosive device.

The target

The party was a 55th birthday celebration for General Aleksandr Czajko, commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). Czajko was appointed to the post in May 2026, having previously led the Eastern Military District, whose troops were implicated in war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine. Ukraine's judiciary prosecutes him for crimes against civilians. A video posted by Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shariy captured a woman's voice saying, "Preparations are in full swing, Alexander is 55 today." Czajko survived the blast. Among the guests were senior FSB officers, defence ministry generals, deputies, and government officials, according to the Telegram channel "Cheka-OGPU".

Casualties

Three people died at the scene: the female courier, the security guard, and a restaurant guest. State agency TASS reported 21 injured. Independent sources and Telegram channels close to the security services later said two more victims died in hospital, raising the death toll to five. At least six of the wounded remained in serious condition. The metal balls caused severe injuries to many attendees.

Investigation and response

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the explosion a "brutal terrorist act" and offered condolences.

Yesterday in Moscow a brutal terrorist act occurred that claimed human lives. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

The Investigative Committee opened a terrorism case, examining the theory that the bomb was hidden in a gift box and detonated remotely, with the woman unaware of its contents. No group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have not named a suspect.

Context of targeted killings

The attack follows a pattern of assassinations of Russian military figures that Moscow blames on Kyiv. In August 2022, Daria Dugina, daughter of nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, was killed by a car bomb likely intended for her father. In December 2024, General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's chemical weapons defence troops, died when a bomb attached to a scooter exploded outside his Moscow apartment. In 2026, the FSB announced it would strengthen protection for high-ranking officers.