Russian Embassy in Rome blames Ukraine for deadly Italian restaurant bombing in Moscow

Key Points:

• The Russian Embassy in Rome accused Ukraine of orchestrating a deadly bombing at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in Moscow, claiming it was intended to intimidate Italians working in Russia; the attack killed five and injured 19.
• The National Anti-Terrorism Committee initially reported three deaths and 21 injuries, including the bomber, but did not identify the target or mastermind behind the attack.
• Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin condemned the bombing as a "brutal terrorist act" without naming the perpetrators, while Russian media speculated the attack targeted a high-ranking general, though this remains unverified.
• The bomb, concealed in a gift box and containing metal balls, was likely detonated remotely, with reports suggesting the female carrier may have been unaware of the explosive's presence.
• Russia has previously blamed Ukraine for a series of attacks on senior military officials since the 2022 invasion, with several high-ranking officers killed or targeted in similar incidents, some of which Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied.