What was meant to be an ordinary evening in central Moscow turned into a scene of chaos in seconds.
A powerful explosion outside an upscale Italian restaurant killed at least three people and injured 21 others.
Investigators are racing to determine who—or what—was the intended target.
According to Russia’s National Anti-Terrorist Committee.
The blast occurred around 8:00 p.m. local time after a woman carrying a homemade explosive device attempted to enter the Balzi Rossi restaurant.
Security officials say a guard stopped her at the entrance. Triggering the explosion.
The woman, the security guard and a restaurant visitor were killed.
The restaurant, which was hosting a private event, initially faced reports suggesting the explosion came from its kitchen.
It later clarified that the incident happened outside the building.
Explosion Fuels Speculation
So, was this a random attack or a carefully planned assassination attempt?
Authorities have not identified the intended target.
But the explosion is likely to fuel speculation because of a string of high-profile attacks on Russian military figures in recent years.
The incidents Moscow has repeatedly blamed on Ukraine.
The restaurant sits inside one of Moscow’s iconic Stalin-era skyscrapers, where roads were swiftly sealed off and a nearby cycling event was cancelled.
As heavily armed security forces flooded the area, one question remained.
Could this be another sign that, in a city already on edge, the conflict is reaching ever closer to home?
