Overview
- An explosion tore through a café on Koudrinskaïa Square in central Moscow on Saturday, August 1, killing three people and injuring about 21 others according to Moscow police and multiple outlets.
- The Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee says a homemade explosive device carried by an unidentified woman detonated and that the woman, a security guard who blocked her entry, and a client were the dead.
- Some Telegram channels, notably Baza, offered a conflicting early account that the blast came from a gas deflagration in the kitchen, and authorities say forensic teams are examining the scene to resolve the cause.
- Several media reports say the venue was hosting a private event for Air Force commander Alexander Tchaïko and that he may have been the target, but that claim has not been confirmed and no group has claimed responsibility.
- Authorities have reportedly opened a criminal case for a terrorist act under article 205, investigators are seeking technical details including unconfirmed reports of about 1 kg TNT equivalent and metal projectiles, and the probe remains active.