Russian authorities have provided conflicting information and limited updates following an August 1 explosion at a Moscow restaurant that killed five people.
Key facts
- •The Russian Embassy in Italy alleged that Ukrainian authorities organized the attack to intimidate Italians in Russia.
- •Major General Valery Plokhotnyuk and Daniil Peredriy were confirmed to have died on the day of the explosion.
- •Media reports initially misidentified Lieutenant General Igor Yerusalimov as a victim, but he is alive.
- •The Balzi Rossi restaurant remains closed following the incident.
- •Kyiv has not issued any comments regarding the explosion or the accusations made by the Russian Embassy.
On the evening of August 1, an explosion occurred at the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow. While the National Anti-Terrorism Committee and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin initially labeled the event a terrorist attack, official communication from Russian authorities has since ceased. Reports indicate the restaurant was hosting a birthday party for the commander-in-chief of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, Alexander Chayko, at the time of the blast.
Casualties and Victims
The death toll remains a point of discrepancy, with the Russian Embassy in Italy reporting five deaths, a figure consistent with unofficial media reports that two injured individuals died in the hospital. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee initially reported three deaths, including the woman who delivered the bomb, a security guard, and a patron. Identified victims include Daniil Peredriy, the son-in-law of Alexander Chayko, and Major General Valery Plokhotnyuk, both of whom died on August 1.
Investigation Status
No Russian security agency has officially confirmed the opening of a criminal investigation or identified the lead agency. The business daily Kommersant reported unofficially that a case was opened under Article 205 of the Criminal Code, which covers terrorism. Regarding the woman who delivered the bomb, initial reports from Telegram channels labeled her a suicide bomber, though Kommersant later cited sources suggesting she was a courier who may have been unaware of the package's contents.
Timeline
- August 1An explosion occurred at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow.
- August 3The Russian Embassy in Italy claimed Ukrainian authorities organized the attack.
- August 5Major General Valery Plokhotnyuk was buried at Troyekurovskoye Cemetery.
- August 6Daniil Peredriy was buried.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Meduza (English).
