In brief
On Saturday night a bomb detonated at Moscow’s Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant, killing three and injuring twenty‑one. BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg visits the scene to describe the damage and interview residents. Russian authorities blame a woman with an improvised device who was denied entry by a guard, while Ukrainian media had previously suggested the attack might be linked to the war. The Kremlin has yet to respond, and the incident received little coverage on Russian television, hinting at a desire to suppress public alarm. The event raises questions about domestic security and the broader geopolitical fallout of the war in Ukraine.
On Saturday night the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square was surrounded by heavily‑armed police, with ambulances and emergency services on the terrace. The police cordon was lifted early on Sunday after investigators left the scene.
Standing beside the restaurant’s summer terrace, I saw the shattered window and pock‑marked walls, evidence of a bomb that killed three people and injured 21. Russian state media report that a woman carrying an improvised explosive device was stopped from entering by a security guard and detonated moments later.
Strangely, unconfirmed reports surfaced that a senior Russian military commander was present that night. No official guest list has been released, raising questions about the private dinner’s purpose and attendees.
The Kremlin has not commented directly, but the Russian Embassy in Italy blamed the attack on Ukraine. "It is clear that when planning a terrorist attack on one of the best Italian restaurants in Moscow, the Kyiv terrorists wanted to scare Italians working in Russia…," the embassy said. The statement offered no indication that Russian military forces were the intended target.
People on Kudrinskaya Square largely believe the explosion is connected to the war in Ukraine. Local resident Ludmila said, "It’s probably linked to the war that’s going on." Another resident, Galina, accused Britain of supporting Ukraine and expressed anger towards the press.
Alexandra, who was walking her dog near the restaurant, described the moment: "I heard a loud bang. I realised immediately that it was an explosion. I live here in the building. It’s terrible."
The incident attracted little coverage on Russian TV over the weekend, aside from reports on Ukraine strikes and other unrelated domestic affairs, possibly indicating an effort to avoid public alarm.
For Alexandra, the shock is still fresh: "I can’t get over this. Because it basically happened right in front of me. It was terrible. I just don’t know how I’m going to get over this."
