A bomb exploded outside the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow, killing three people and injuring 21. The police cordon was lifted as investigators left the scene, after a brief period surrounded by armed officers and emergency vehicles.
Stepping onto the restaurant’s summer terrace, I saw shattered glass and pock‑marked walls that still bore the marks of the blast. Russian state media confirm the casualties and say the incident was caused by an improvised explosive device carried by a woman who was stopped by a security guard. Moments later, the device detonated.
Officials point to a courier trying to deliver a package to a private dinner, suggesting she may not have known the explosive’s contents. Unconfirmed reports link the event to a senior Russian military commander who was at the dinner that night, though the guest list remains unclear.
The Russian Embassy in Italy has blamed Ukraine for the attack, claiming the “Kyiv terrorists” sought to scare Italians working in Russia with their “best Italian restaurants.” The Kremlin has yet to issue an official comment.
Neighbors and witnesses on Kudrinskaya Square link the explosion to the broader war in Ukraine, noting several recent bombings of Russian military figures blamed by Moscow on Kyiv. Residents express fear and anger, with one shouting “It’s the work of Britain, this is your work,” in a bitter exchange citing UK support for Ukraine.
Coverage of the blast on Russian television was scant, with the news bulletin focusing instead on Russian strikes on Ukraine, celebrations of military and railway worker days, and unrelated international news. This selective omission may reflect an attempt to avoid public alarm amid ongoing conflict.
For those who witnessed the explosion, the shock remains deep. “I can’t get over it,” one local said, “because it literally happened right in front of me.” The city’s emergency services and security forces continue to investigate, while the international community remains uncertain about future attacks in the region.
