Explosion of explosives: Moscow: Authorities keep mum after "terrorist attack"

Moscow's mayor Sergej Sobjanin described the deadly explosion in a downtown district as a "brutal terrorist act." However, authorities have kept quiet about the background of the incident that occurred in a gourmet restaurant near the zoo. The National Antiterror Committee reported that the investigation into the explosion was ongoing and that the perpetrators would be found and punished.

Mayor Sobjanin expressed condolences to the families of the victims. According to multiple Telegram news channels, the death toll had risen to five after the attack on Saturday evening. The official confirmation of the number of fatalities was not immediately available. The authorities initially reported three dead and 21 injured.

The national anti-terror committee identified the deceased as a woman suspected of bringing the bomb to the restaurant, which was denied to her by a security service employee. Another victim was a guest. The self-made explosive device was detonated at 20:00 local time (19:00 CET) on Saturday in the restaurant, which was hosting a private event.

A Russian military blogger claimed that the target of the attack was the guests of a private event in the restaurant, possibly including a general celebrating his 55th birthday, identified as Alexander Tschajko - the current chief of Russia's Air and Space Forces, who had recently received promotion. Among the attendees were high-ranking intelligence officials, officials, deputies, and generals.

The exact confirmation of this information was not provided. It was reported that the restaurant was not easily accessible due to the important guests present. Media mentioned that a large security presence from the Federal Security Service (FSO), responsible for the President's protection, was on duty. Several terrorist attacks on high-ranking Russian military personnel and propagandists have taken place in Russia since the start of the Moscow invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Vladimir Alexejew, the deputy head of the Russian Army Intelligence Service, was severely injured in February 2023, while General Jaroslaw Moskalik died in April 2025 after an explosion from an auto-bomb. Igor Kirillow, the head of Russia's ABC Defense Forces, was also killed by a bomb explosion in December 2024. The Ukrainian intelligence service acknowledged these attacks as part of their defense against the Russian invasion.

The Moscow domestic intelligence service (FSB) continuously warns citizens against engaging in such acts, with dozens of suspects currently in custody. The FSB urges the public to be vigilant and not participate in these acts.