A bomb attack outside an Italian restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday likely targeted Colonel General Alexander Chaiko, commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces, killing five people and wounding 21, investigators and sources said.
The blast occurred outside Balzi Rossi during a private 55th birthday celebration for Chaiko, who marked the milestone on July 27. The device, containing approximately one kilogram of explosives with metal shrapnel, detonated as a security guard inspected it, according to Czech media. Chaiko survived unharmed, but his 25-year-old daughter was seriously injured and her husband was killed. The death toll rose to five on Sunday after two wounded victims died in hospital.
Russia's Investigative Committee has classified the bombing as a terrorist act carried out by a woman. Chaiko, appointed by President Vladimir Putin in May, was sanctioned by the European Union in March for commanding Russian troops during the Bucha massacre and faces war crimes charges in Ukraine. The attack marks the third recent attempt against Russian military figures.