Senior Russian general survives assassination attempt in Moscow restaurant blast

A senior Russian military leader narrowly escaped a deadly explosion at an upscale Moscow restaurant, according to reports. The blast occurred at the Balzi Rossi restaurant, located near the Kremlin, where a private birthday celebration was taking place for Colonel General Alexander Chayko, commander-in-chief of Russia’s Aerospace Forces. The incident took place just over a mile from the Kremlin, resulting in five deaths and 19 injuries.

The homemade bomb, disguised as a gift, was reportedly brought into the restaurant by a woman. She was stopped near the outdoor terrace before the device detonated. Chayko survived the explosion, while his 27-year-old son-in-law, Daniil Peredriy, and his 25-year-old daughter, Maria Peredriy, were killed and critically injured respectively. The explosive force was estimated to be around 1 kilogram of TNT.

Russian authorities initially reported three deaths and 15 injuries, but the National Anti-Terrorism Committee later stated that 21 people had been injured. The motive behind the bombing and whether Chayko was the intended target remain unclear. The attack took place amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Ukraine branding Chayko a war criminal and accusing his forces of atrocities in Bucha.

The incident came as Russia continued to suffer losses among its senior military personnel. No official confirmation has been made regarding the identity of the woman who carried the bomb or the motive behind the attack.