IED Blast At Central Moscow Restaurant Kills Three, Injures 21
An improvised explosive device detonated at the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow at 7:55 p.m. Saturday.[1] Officials said three people were killed and 21 were injured.[2]
Authorities said the dead included a security guard who stopped an unknown woman suspected of trying to smuggle an explosive into the venue, the suspected woman, and one patron.[1] Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a terrorism investigation.[1]
Balzi Rossi's website said the restaurant was closed on August 1 for a private party, suggesting a private event was under way when the blast occurred.[1] Chef Carmine Alfieri briefly posted on Instagram that staff were fine and the kitchen was "in perfect condition" before deleting the message amid initial rumors of a gas leak.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the blast occurred at 7:55 p.m. local time on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow.
- Officials said three people were killed, including a [security guard]https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/01/world/europe/deadly-bombing-moscow-restaurant.html) who prevented an unknown woman suspected of trying to smuggle an explosive device from entering the restaurant, the suspected woman herself, and one patron.
- Russia's Investigative Committee, described as the country's equivalent of the FBI, has formally opened a terrorism investigation into the bombing.
- The Balzi Rossi restaurant's website indicated the venue was closed on August 1 for a private party, suggesting a private event was under way at the time of the explosion.
- Chef Carmine Alfieri briefly posted on Instagram that staff were fine and the restaurant and kitchen were in "perfect condition" after initial rumors of a gas leak, but he later deleted the post.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the blast occurred at 7:55 p.m. local time on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow.
- Officials said the dead included a security guard who prevented an unknown woman suspected of trying to smuggle an explosive device from entering the restaurant, the suspected woman herself, and one patron.
- Russia's Investigative Committee, described as the country's equivalent of the FBI, has formally opened a terrorism investigation into the bombing.
- The restaurant's website indicated Balzi Rossi was closed on August 1 for a private party, suggesting a private event was under way at the time of the explosion.
- Chef Carmine Alfieri briefly posted on Instagram that staff were fine and the restaurant and kitchen were in "perfect condition" after initial rumors of a gas leak, before deleting the post.