On 1 August, a bomb detonated at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow, killing four people and leaving six others in serious condition. The explosion occurred as General Aleksandr Chaiko, newly appointed commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, was celebrating his 55th birthday.

Casualties and immediate response

The device, equivalent to roughly one kilogram of TNT and packed with metal shrapnel, was detonated remotely after a security guard stopped a suspicious box that a female bomber attempted to bring into the venue. The guard, identified as Anatoly S., was positioned at the entrance in a Lexus and is credited with preventing the bomb from reaching Chaiko’s table. The bomber died in the blast, as did three diners on the restaurant’s terrace after they were later hospitalised, and a fourth victim whose identity has not been released.

One of the deceased was Anatoly S. himself. Six other victims remain in serious condition. Opposition‑leaning media and Z‑bloggers reported that Chaiko’s 25‑year‑old daughter, Mariya Peredriy, was severely injured by fragments, while a person named Daniil P., believed to be her husband, may be among the dead, though this has not been confirmed. Telegram channel 112 listed Mariya Peredriy among the injured but did not confirm the status of her husband.

Target and attendees

Early statements from Moscow investigative bodies identified the newly appointed commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces as the intended target. Attendees at the dinner included senior officials, members of the Federal Security Service and high‑ranking generals who were expected to sit with Chaiko.

The restaurant, located approximately 2.5 kilometres from the Kremlin, charges about 6,000 roubles for a bowl of soup, a price that has drawn criticism from pro‑war bloggers who accused senior officers of celebrating in an expensive venue while many Russians face economic hardship.

Political and legal context

Russian authorities have attributed responsibility for the attack to Ukraine, although Ukrainian officials have not issued a public statement on the accusation. Russian investigators say the bomb was detonated remotely after the guard’s intervention, but they have not released a full report and the bomber’s identity remains unclear.

General Chaiko, promoted in May 2024 to head the Russian Aerospace Forces, is currently overseeing the acceleration of the Rassvet satellite constellation for drone guidance over Ukraine. The European Union added Chaiko to its sanctions list on 16 March for alleged involvement in war crimes in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns; the sanctions freeze any EU‑based assets and prohibit travel. Human Rights Watch has documented alleged civilian casualties caused by forces under Chaiko’s command in Syria and has called for accountability.

Potential repercussions

Commentators have highlighted perceived failures of Russian intelligence to secure central Moscow, and the incident may prompt tighter security measures for senior officials in the future.