The Russian embassy in Rome has placed the blame on Ukraine for a bombing at a restaurant in Moscow that resulted in multiple casualties over the weekend. This incident, which occurred at the Balzi Rossi restaurant, led to the deaths of five individuals and left 19 others injured. The embassy’s statement characterised the attack as an attempt to intimidate Italian nationals working in Russia.

Allegedly, the embassy described those behind the attack as “Kyiv terrorists,” asserting their intention to instil fear amongst the Italian community in Russia. Interestingly, the Italian chef and his staff at the restaurant escaped unscathed, which the embassy credited to the diligence and commitment of a Russian security guard present at the scene.

In the aftermath of this incident, Ukrainian authorities have remained silent, offering no immediate comments or denials regarding the accusations made by the Russian embassy. Shortly following the bombing, on Saturday night, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee of Russia provided a discrepancy in casualty figures, initially reporting that three individuals had died and 21 were injured, differing significantly from the embassy’s report.

Reactions and Responses

Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has condemned the attack, labelling it a “brutal terrorist act,” but similarly refrained from assigning responsibility. The restaurant is located within a residential high-rise building, which is part of a group of seven iconic skyscrapers constructed during the Stalin era.

Despite multiple media outlets claiming the bombing targeted a Russian general celebrating his birthday, with some reports naming Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, these assertions have not been independently verified. This latest incident fits a pattern of recurrent accusations by Russian authorities against Ukraine for various explosive attacks since the onset of the military conflict in February 2022.

Recent attacks attributed to Ukraine include the shooting of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, who survived a shooting at a Moscow apartment and the car bombing that killed Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov in December. Ukraine has consistently denied involvement in such incidents, maintaining an official stance of non-engagement.

Causalities and Historical Context

There have been several notable victims of bombings in Russia whose association with Ukrainian involvement remains a subject of debate. Daria Dugina, daughter of a prominent nationalist thinker, and Vladlen Tatarsky, a military blogger, are amongst those who have died in similar incidents. Ukraine denied any connection to the attack on Dugina and has not provided a clear stance regarding the bombing linked to Tatarsky.

The recent bombing at the Moscow restaurant has reignited tensions between the two nations, amid conflicting reports on the intended targets and varying casualty numbers. The ambiguity surrounding the incident further complicates the narrative and fuels ongoing accusations from Russian officials against Ukraine.

As investigations likely continue, no official comment has been provided by Russia’s Foreign Ministry regarding the embassy’s claims or the discrepancies in reported fatalities related to this incident. The atmosphere remains charged as the fallout from the bombing unfolds.

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