MOSCOW, Aug. 1, 2026: At least three people were killed and 21 others injured after an explosion near a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, Russian authorities said.
The blast occurred around 8:10 p.m. local time (1710 GMT) near a restaurant at Kudrinskaya Square, according to a statement issued by Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs on the social media platform Max.
Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti, citing the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, reported that the victims included a restaurant security guard, a customer and a woman suspected of carrying an improvised explosive device (IED).
Preliminary findings indicate that the unidentified woman was attempting to enter the Balzi Rossi restaurant when the explosion occurred before she reached the entrance. Authorities believe she was carrying the explosive device at the time.
The security guard, a patron and the suspected woman were killed at the scene, while at least 21 other people sustained injuries, officials said.
Russian authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the suspected woman or confirmed the motive behind the incident. Officials also said it remains unclear whether the explosion was intentional or accidental.
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the blast and the circumstances surrounding the incident.