Moscow restaurant bombing targeting Russian general

On 2 August 2026 a bomb detonated inside the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant in central Moscow during a private gathering of about 50 guests. Initial reports recorded three fatalities – a restaurant guest, the general’s bodyguard and a woman who attempted to bring the device inside – and 21 injuries. Subsequent updates raised the death toll to five and identified one of the wounded as Maria Chayka, the 25‑year‑old daughter of Colonel General Aleksandr (Alexandre) Tchaïko, head of Russia’s Aerospace Forces.

Later coverage confirmed that the attack was aimed at General Tchaïko, who was celebrating his 55th birthday. No group claimed responsibility; Russian investigators are probing the incident while analysts have floated possible motives ranging from internal Kremlin rivalries to Ukrainian intelligence actions or Islamist extremism. The bombing adds to a series of attacks on senior Russian military figures since the start of the war in Ukraine.