In brief
At 8 p.m. local time, a homemade explosive device exploded near Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow’s city centre. The blast struck an Italian restaurant hosting a private event, killing three people and wounding 21 others. Russian security officials say a woman attempting to deliver the explosives was intercepted by a guard before the attack. The incident underscores mounting concerns over small‑scale terror attacks in Russia’s capital.
A homemade bomb detonated at approximately 8 p.m. local time on Kudrinskaya Square, the heart of Moscow, creating a deadly scene that left at least three people dead and 21 injured.
The device exploded inside an Italian restaurant that was hosting a private gathering, according to security officials cited by Russian state media. Witnesses reported a sudden roar followed by fire and smoke that forced several patrons to flee.
Security footage and statements from the National Anti‑Terrorist Committee suggest a woman was carrying the explosives and attempted to enter the restaurant. A guard on duty intercepted her, but the device still detonated as she was taken away.
The attack, which took place at about 8 p.m. on the square, has raised concerns about the risk of small‑scale terror attacks in Moscow’s busy urban centres. Russian authorities said they were investigating the incident thoroughly, but at the time no group had yet claimed responsibility.
During the emergency response, police and emergency services were deployed quickly to the site amid chaotic scenes and a rising crowd of by‑standers. Paramedics tended to the wounded, many of whom required intensive care at local hospitals.
The incident is part of a series of security challenges faced in Russia’s capital, with officials warning that such attacks could grow in frequency. Local residents expressed shock and demand for clearer security protocols, while city officials reaffirmed their commitment to public safety.
