A bombing at one of Moscow's most expensive restaurants killed five people and injured 19 on Saturday, August 1, according to the latest count from the Russian embassy in Italy, reigniting anger over the privileges enjoyed by Russian military and political elites while thousands of soldiers remain at the front in Ukraine.
The blast struck near the entrance of Balzi Rossi, an Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square, about two and a half kilometers from the Kremlin. The venue sits at the base of a Stalin-era skyscraper and is considered a meeting place for wealthy businesspeople, officials and celebrities.
Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee initially reported three deaths and 21 injuries. Authorities have not officially explained the discrepancy between that figure and the newer toll of five dead and 19 injured given by the embassy in Italy.
Anger Among Pro-War Commentators
The attack surfaced resentment even among some of the war's most enthusiastic supporters. Pro-Russian military channels and nationalist commentators began asking why senior officers hold lavish parties at venues where a single dish can cost 6,000 rubles, roughly 65 euros, and how Russian security services allowed a bomb to reach a private event filled with generals and state officials in the heart of Moscow.
The incident highlighted the gap between ordinary Russians, mobilized soldiers and their families on one side, and the political and military elite on the other. Criticism also targeted intelligence agencies. A former Ukrainian security service official described the incident as a major failure of the Russian secret services, noting that senior defense ministry officials and people under the protection of the Federal Protective Service were reportedly at the event.
General Alexander Chaiko Suspected Target
Russian and international media report that the likely target was General Alexander Chaiko, who was reportedly celebrating his 55th birthday and his recent appointment as head of the Russian Aerospace Forces. A video reportedly posted before the event showed a stage set with the words "Alexander 55."
According to unconfirmed reports from Russian Telegram channels, guests included defense ministry generals, Federal Security Service officials, lawmakers and senior state officials. Russian authorities have not officially confirmed either the target or the guest list.
Chaiko reportedly survived unharmed. Independent Russian media and Telegram channels claim his 25-year-old daughter was seriously injured, with conflicting reports saying her husband was either killed or hospitalized. None of this has been confirmed by an official Russian source.
The Gift Box Bomb
According to the Anti-Terrorism Committee, a woman tried to enter the restaurant carrying an improvised explosive device inside a box presented as a gift. A security guard stopped her and tried to inspect the suspicious object, which exploded near the entrance.
The woman, the guard and one customer were killed instantly. Two more victims reportedly died later in hospital, bringing the death toll to five. Kommersant, citing investigation sources, reported that the woman may not have known she was carrying a bomb and that the device was likely detonated remotely. The bomb reportedly contained about one kilogram of explosive material and metal pellets designed to maximize casualties.
Initial assessments suggest the guard's intervention likely prevented a much larger tragedy by stopping the woman from getting closer to guests. Many of the injured were on the outdoor terrace, where the event had already begun.
Moscow Blames Kyiv Without Evidence
The Russian embassy in Italy directly blamed Ukraine for the attack, claiming its goal was to terrorize Italians working in Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry republished the statement without presenting evidence of Ukrainian involvement.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called it a barbaric terrorist attack without naming a perpetrator or organizer. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the incident, and no one has claimed responsibility. Investigators have not said whether they are examining only a Ukrainian operation or other scenarios, including Islamist terrorism, a conflict of interest or an internal score-settling. The identity of the woman who carried the bomb and how she may have been recruited remain unknown.
Chaiko's Military Record
Chaiko took command of the Russian Aerospace Forces in May 2026. He previously commanded Russian forces in Syria, and at the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine he headed the Eastern Military District, whose forces took part in the failed advance on Kyiv.
His name has been linked to allegations of attacks on civilians in Syria and to crimes attributed to Russian forces in the Bucha area of Ukraine. He is on both European Union and British sanctions lists. The suspected attempt on his life follows a series of killings and attempted killings of Russian generals and pro-war figures, some of which have occurred inside Moscow itself.
