The Russian Embassy in Rome on Monday attributed a deadly weekend bombing at a Moscow restaurant to Ukraine, characterizing it as an effort to intimidate the Italian community in Russia.
The embassy stated that "Kyiv terrorists" Sought to "scare the Italians working in Russia and to show them that they too are in the crosshairs and could become the scoundrels' next victims."
According to the embassy, the Saturday night attack on the Balzi Rossi restaurant resulted in five deaths and 19 injuries. The embassy noted that the Italian chef and his staff escaped harm due to a Russian security guard's "vigilance and selfless dedication to his professional duty."
Ukraine's authorities had not immediately responded to the allegations.
The National Anti-Terrorism Committee initially reported a lower casualty count, stating the bomb killed three people - a woman who brought the explosive device into the restaurant, a guard who stopped her, and a guest - with 21 others wounded when the device detonated near the restaurant's entrance. The committee did not identify the target or alleged perpetrator.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the bombing a "brutal terrorist act" On Sunday but did not attribute responsibility for the blast at the upscale venue, located in a Stalin-era high-rise apartment building.
Russian media outlets claimed the bombing targeted a Russian general celebrating his birthday at the restaurant, with some identifying the general as Col.-Gen. Alexander Chaiko, recently appointed chief of Russia's aerospace forces. These claims could not be independently verified.
Russia has previously blamed Ukraine for attacks on military officials following the 2022 invasion. Past incidents include the shooting of Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev in February, a car bomb killing Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov in December, another vehicle bombing that killed Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik in April 2025, and a scooter bomb that killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov in December 2024 - one of the few attacks Ukraine publicly acknowledged. Other prominent victims included Daria Dugina and Vladlen Tatarsky, with Kyiv denying involvement in Dugina's death and remaining ambiguous about Tatarsky's.