Moscow Mayor calls Saturday bombing a 'brutal terrorist act'

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has labeled a fatal bombing at a Moscow restaurant as a "brutal terrorist act," though he refrained from assigning responsibility. The explosion, which occurred on Saturday evening, resulted in the deaths of a security guard, a restaurant guest, and the individual carrying the explosive device.

According to Russian state media, citing local officials, at least 21 other individuals sustained injuries. The National Anti-Terrorist Committee reported that an explosive device, placed within the restaurant at Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow, detonated. The Moscow Investigative Committee confirmed on Saturday evening that an investigation into the incident was underway.

As of Sunday afternoon, Russian authorities had not released further details. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack. Several Telegram news channels have reported that the death toll has risen to five, but these reports remain officially unconfirmed.

Kommersant newspaper, citing its own sources, indicated that the target of the attack may have been guests attending a private event at the restaurant. The newspaper added that the investigation is examining whether a terrorist motive was involved.