Three killed, 15 injured in Moscow restaurant blast during general’s party

Updated at 9:42 p.m. Investigators are considering several possible explanations, including one in which “an unknown person carried an unidentified object into the restaurant,” the Russian Telegram channel 112 reported. Bomb disposal experts are working at the scene.

Updated at 9:26 p.m. Russia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that three people were killed and 15 injured at the restaurant. Russia’s Investigative Committee, however, said the exact number of victims was still being determined, the Russian propaganda outlet TASS reported.

Updated at 9:10 p.m. Serhii Sternenko reported that two Russian generals have birthdays today:

• Vladimir Seliverstov — a major general who commanded the 106th Airborne Division and part of the force involved in the 2022 offensive against Kyiv.
• Alexander Yaroshevich — a lieutenant general and head of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Department of Transport Support.

Updated at 9:03 p.m. A general’s birthday celebration was underway at the Balzi Rossi restaurant when the explosion occurred, Astra reported, citing a witness.

The outlet also reported that numerous vehicles with black license plates were parked near the restaurant. Such plates are typically used on vehicles belonging to the Russian Armed Forces and some other security agencies.

People in local chat groups reportedly called the gas leak theory “ridiculous,” arguing that the building has no gas supply.

Updated at 8:58 p.m. Russian Telegram channels reported that preliminary information pointed to a gas leak as the cause of the explosion.

Mash reported that Sergey L., Igor G. and 20-year-old dancer Yevdokia K. were taken to a hospital. Two of them were in critical condition.

Updated at 8:52 p.m. The Ostorozhno, Novosti Telegram channel reported major road closures near the Kudrinskaya Square high-rise. It also reported that a cycling festival on the Garden Ring had been canceled “for technical reasons.”

Russian Telegram channels circulated videos from the scene while reporting on the explosion.

Mash reported that a fire broke out inside the restaurant after the explosion. It put the toll at three dead and seven injured.

Baza reported three deaths and 17 people in serious condition. It put the total number of injured at 21.