IED kills three at Moscow restaurant, unconfirmed reports link venue to military officer's birthday party
An improvised explosive device killed three people, including the bomber, at a restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow on Saturday night. Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee confirmed the IED and ruled out an earlier gas leak claim. At least 21 people were injured.
An improvised explosive device detonated at a restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow on the evening of August 1, 2026, killing the woman who was carrying it, a security guard who tried to stop her from entering, and one patron inside. Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee confirmed the blast was caused by an IED, dismissing earlier reports of a gas leak. Russian state media reported at least 21 people injured. Unconfirmed Telegram reports claim the venue was hosting a military officer's birthday party, citing military vehicles seen outside, but this has not been officially confirmed. Russian authorities have not named a target or motive, and the Moscow Investigative Committee says the case remains under investigation.