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Explosion at Central Moscow Restaurant Kills Five as Terror Probe Begins

Investigators say a device hidden in a gift box detonated, prompting authorities to open a terrorism case.

Overview

  • The blast at Balza/Balzi Rossi on Kudrinskaya Square injured many people and by Sunday the death toll had risen to five with several in serious condition.
  • The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on terrorism and says the device was concealed in a package and may have been detonated remotely while a woman who delivered the box could have been unaware of its contents.
  • Reports differ over the cause with some Telegram channels and early media citing a kitchen gas leak while the restaurant’s chef denied kitchen problems and officials say evidence points to an explosive device.
  • Police and bomb technicians completed on-site work and the cordon around the restaurant was lifted after investigators collected evidence and statements.
  • The Moscow explosion came the same night that Ukrainian drones struck sites across the Volga region, including a Wildberries warehouse and refineries, causing fires and civilian casualties and increasing security measures and public tension.