Russia reports five deaths from restaurant explosion in Moscow
The death toll from the explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow's Kudrinskaya Square has risen to five, while more than six other people remain in serious condition, according to Radio Liberty's Russian Service.
Russian authorities said two victims died in hospital after the blast. Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee had previously reported three fatalities: a woman believed to have carried the homemade explosive device into the restaurant, a security guard, and one of the guests. Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a terrorism case, saying preliminary findings indicate the bomb was concealed in a gift box and detonated remotely. Investigators believe the woman who brought the package may not have known it contained an explosive.
No official motive has been announced. However, several Russian media outlets and Telegram channels have speculated that the intended target may have been a private celebration marking the 55th birthday of Aleksandr Chayko, commander-in-chief of Russia's Aerospace Forces, citing a sign reading "Alexandr 55" displayed at the venue. The reports have not been officially confirmed. Telegram channel VChK-OGPU also claimed the security guard killed in the blast may have been an officer of Russia's Federal Protective Service, though this has likewise not been verified. Authorities said investigative work at the scene has been completed and the security cordon around the restaurant has been removed.
Background: An explosion occurred at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow. It was previously officially reported that three people had been killed and 15 had been injured. According to social media reports, the venue had been closed for a private event.
Russia is ramping up ballistic missile production
Russian forces attacked 16 regions of Ukraine over the past week, launching around 1,900 drones, nearly 1,600 guided aerial bombs, and 144 missiles of various types, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
According to Zelensky, the week-long campaign damaged more than 1,500 sites across the country, including hundreds of residential buildings.
The president said Russia is investing heavily in ballistic missile production and is working to expand its manufacturing capacity. He also argued that many Russian factories producing components for drones, missiles, and guided bombs remain untouched by international sanctions, calling for greater pressure on every part of Russia's military-industrial complex.
Russian drone attack on Rozetka warehouse kills employee, injures 7 following Ukrainian strikes on Russia's Wildberries
A Russian drone struck a warehouse belonging to Ukrainian online retailer Rozetka in Kyiv Oblast on August 1, killing one employee and injuring seven others. The attack came after weeks of Ukrainian strikes targeting logistics facilities linked to Russia's retail giant Wildberries.
The warehouse, located in the suburb of Brovary northeast of Kyiv, had 270 employees on site when it was hit. Rozetka co-founder Iryna Chechotkina said employee Volodymyr Melnychenko was killed, while seven others were injured, with one remaining in serious condition. She said the company would provide medical, psychological, and financial support to those affected and their families, adding that Rozetka would continue operating despite the attack.
The strike followed Russia's large-scale overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv, which damaged residential buildings, industrial facilities, a school, and the Lithuanian embassy. It also came after Ukraine's recent campaign against Wildberries logistics centers across Russia. Wildberries sells military-related equipment, including drone components and body armor, through its platform, while its banking arm was sanctioned by the European Union in July over its financial contribution to the Russian budget.