Overview
- An explosion outside the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow left three people dead and about 21 injured after security forces and emergency crews responded to the scene.
- Authorities and state agencies say a woman carrying an improvised explosive device tried to enter the venue and died in the blast along with a security guard and a customer.
- Investigators have opened a formal probe and are examining multiple hypotheses including remote detonation, that the woman was an unwitting courier, and the competing theory of a kitchen gas leak.
- Several outlets reported the restaurant was closed for a private event with unconfirmed claims that senior military figures attended, a detail authorities have not publicly verified.
- The attack comes during a recent pattern of strikes on Russian officials and is likely to prompt tighter protection for senior officers while forensic, CCTV and communications checks proceed to establish responsibility.