Explosion: Attack: Russian Embassy in Italy blames Kiev

In response to a deadly bombing at a restaurant in a Moscow nightlife district, the Russian Embassy in Italy has accused Ukraine of being responsible for the attack. The embassy posted on social media, "The bloody arms of the Selenskyj terror band reached the Italian restaurant 'Balzi Rossi' in Moscow." It further stated, "It is clear that the terrorists from Kiev, who planned a terrorist attack in one of the best Italian restaurants in Moscow, intended to intimidate Italians working in Russia."

Previously, Moscow had not officially accused Ukraine or its President, Volodymyr Selenskyj. However, thanks to the security service, the head chef and his team remained unharmed, the embassy added. On Saturday evening, an explosion occurred in a Moscow restaurant. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin had described the incident as a "brutal terrorist act" the day before.

Several people lost their lives, with five confirmed dead and 19 injured, according to the embassy's statement, which corroborated earlier reports from various news channels. The embassy accused Ukrainian leadership of being similar to terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, questioning whether anyone doubts that Selenskyj, Presidential Aide Kyrylo Budanow, his predecessor Andrij Jermak, former Defense Minister Mychajlo Fedorow, and others will see the end of Al-Qaeda's chief, Osama bin Laden, and their counterparts.

The embassy sees the explosion in the restaurant and other terrorist attacks in Russia, Monaco, and elsewhere as evidence of an "Ukrainian terror epidemic" spreading across Europe, particularly Italy. In Monaco, Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolajew was severely injured in an explosion at the end of June, accusing the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service HUR.

The suspect was later killed in Ukraine. A daily, Kommersant, reported, based on its own sources, that the attack's target in Moscow was the guests of a private event at the restaurant, with a metal ball grenade device allegedly detonated remotely after the woman, who was checked by the security guard, was found carrying the package, presumably for a regular gift delivery.

Russian military bloggers on Telegram claimed that a general, Alexander Tschajko, celebrated his 55th birthday in the restaurant. He is currently the chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces and celebrated his promotion in May. Among the guests were high-ranking military officials, officials, deputies, and generals, the embassy reported, though there was no official confirmation.

Since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2022, high-ranking military figures and propagandists have been the target of numerous assassination attempts in Russia. Deputy Chief of the Russian Army Intelligence, Vladimir Alexeyev, was severely injured by gunfire in February of this year. Lieutenant General Jaroslaw Moskalik died in an explosion in April 2025, and in December 2024, Igor Kirillow, head of Russia's ABC Defense Troops, was killed by a bombing. The Ukrainian intelligence service admitted to these acts.