Moscow Restaurant Bombing: Mayor Calls Attack ‘Brutal Terrorist Act’

A deadly bombing occurred at a restaurant in Moscow Saturday, resulting in three fatalities and injuring at least 21 individuals. The incident was labeled a ‘brutal terrorist act’ by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who vowed to pursue those responsible.

On Sunday, Sobyanin commented on social media about the attack on the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant. He stated, ‘Yesterday, a brutal terrorist act was committed in Moscow that claimed human lives. The victims are currently in the city’s hospitals, where they are receiving all necessary care.’

EXPLOSION AT RESTAURANT IN CENTRAL MOSCOW LEAVES THREE DEAD, MORE THAN A DOZEN INJURED

Authorities in Moscow have not identified any suspects, and no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee reported that the explosion resulted from a homemade explosive device. According to RIA Novosti, a woman attempted to enter the restaurant with the bomb but was stopped by a security guard, causing the explosion.

The blast killed the woman, the guard, and a patron of the restaurant. It occurred at 8 p.m. local time on Kudrinskaya Square. The restaurant was hosting a private event and was closed to the public, according to its online information and state media reports.

Video footage from the scene, shared by Russian state media, shows heavily armed police and emergency vehicles outside the restaurant. Investigators continued to examine the site.

Earlier, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced increased security for senior military and government figures due to numerous assassination attempts since the country’s extensive military action in Ukraine began in February 2022. The authorities have not linked the restaurant bombing to these prior events or the conflict in Ukraine.

Journalist Brie Stimson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.