Alexandre Tchaïko targeted in Moscow restaurant bomb attack

A bomb exploded inside a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday, killing three people and wounding 21. The blast is believed to have been aimed at Colonel General Alexandre Tchaïko, the commander of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, who was celebrating his 55th birthday at the venue.

Tchaïko, appointed by a presidential decree in May, oversees Russia’s drone, missile and aircraft operations against Ukraine and has previously served in Syria. He has been awarded the title of Hero of Russia and multiple military orders. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Russian authorities are investigating. Analysts have suggested possible motives ranging from an internal Kremlin move, Ukrainian intelligence action, to Islamist extremism, but all remain speculative.

The incident adds to a series of bombings in Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine, highlighting the heightened security risks faced by senior military officials.