Explosion at Moscow Italian Restaurant Kills Three

An explosion at the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening killed at least three people and injured at least 21 others, according to Russian authorities. The blast occurred at approximately 8 p.m. local time at the restaurant located in a Stalin-era skyscraper on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow.

The three people killed were the woman carrying the explosive device, a security guard, and a restaurant patron or customer, according to Russian anti-terrorism authorities.

Russian authorities attributed the explosion to a homemade explosive device. According to Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee, a woman carrying the device attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard, after which the device detonated.

The restaurant's website stated the venue was closed on Saturday for a private event. Heavily armed law enforcement officers were present at the scene, which was closed off to the public.

Authorities did not identify the victims by name or disclose who they believed was responsible for the attack.

In recent years, several senior Russian military figures have been assassinated in and around Moscow, and Russian authorities have blamed those attacks on Kyiv.

The Guardian, citing the Russian newspaper Kommersant and its sources, reported that the bomb may have been intended to kill guests on the restaurant's summer terrace and may have been detonated remotely by a third party, with the woman possibly unaware she was carrying a bomb. This account has not been corroborated by other outlets or confirmed by authorities.

Fox News reported that Russia's FSB security service had announced earlier in 2026 that it planned to increase security for high-level officials, citing a series of assassinations connected to the war in Ukraine. This detail was not mentioned by other outlets.

BBC News reported that the restaurant was holding a private function at the time of the explosion. The BBC also noted a discrepancy in early reporting: initial reports said the blast occurred in the restaurant's kitchen, but the restaurant later issued a statement saying the problem occurred outside.

BBC News reported that witnesses saw people brought out of the restaurant covered in blood after the explosion. Roads around Kudrinskaya Square were briefly closed following the blast, and a nearby cyclists' evening ride event was cancelled, according to the BBC.

Fox News reported that Moscow's Investigative Committee stated the scene was still under active investigation.