At least three people have been killed and 21 injured after a woman brought a homemade bomb near a central Moscow restaurant, according to Russian officials.
The explosion, which occurred at around 7:55pm local time (5:55pm BST), occurred near an upscale Italian restaurant located in one of Moscow's seven Stalin-era skyscrapers at Kudrinkskaya Square, police said.
Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee said that an unidentified woman had tried to get into the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard, Russian news agencies reported.
Among the dead were the security guard, the unnamed woman, and another visitor, the committee added.
The Kommersant daily newspaper cited sources as saying that the bomb had been intended to maim and kill guests who were enjoying themselves on the restaurant's summer terrace outside.
The restaurant's website said the venue had been closed on Saturday for a private event, but it is unclear who was present.
There is not yet any suggestion that the explosion is linked to the war in Ukraine.
It came after Kyiv struck three Russian oil refineries nearly 1,600 kilometres beyond enemy lines, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.
Key Points
- Three killed and 21 injured after a woman brought a homemade bomb to restaurant
- Moscow mayor calls Saturday's deadly bomb attack on restaurant a 'terrorist act'
- Russia fired a record number of missiles at Ukraine in July
- Ukraine says it struck Russian container ship in Black Sea
- Russian oil refinery and military airbase struck - reports
Watch: At least 3 dead after IED explodes near Moscow cafe
14:00 , Holly Evans
Zelensky asks for Trump’s help to win Elon Musk’s approval for Starlink drones plan
13:00 , Holly Evans
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Donald Trump and other American officials to facilitate Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite communications system for guiding strikes within Russian territory.
This push for expanded Starlink capabilities emerges as Kyiv seeks alternative strategies to reduce its reliance on US Patriot air defence systems, crucial for countering Russia's relentless missile and drone assaults.
The availability of these interceptors is dwindling amid the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran, with Mr Trump reportedly stepping back from a recent pledge to grant Ukraine a licence for their production.
Read the full article here:
Zelensky asks Trump to help Elon Musk approve Starlink drones plan
Moscow mayor calls Saturday's deadly bomb attack on restaurant a 'terrorist act'
12:21 , Holly Evans
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin called the bomb attack on a restaurant in the capital a "brutal terrorist act," but did not say who was responsible.
"Yesterday, a brutal terrorist act was committed in Moscow that claimed human lives. The victims are currently in the city's hospitals, where they are receiving all necessary care," Sobyanin wrote on social media.
The blast on Saturday evening killed a security guard and a guest, as well as the woman bomber, Russian state media said, citing local officials.
At least 21 people were also wounded when the explosive device detonated at the restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said, quoted by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
The attack was still being investigated, the Moscow Investigative Committee told the news agency on Saturday evening.
As of early afternoon on Sunday, there was no further information from Russian authorities, and no one had publicly claimed responsibility.
Watch: ‘Scared’ British tourist in Poland films moment air raid sirens sound during Russian strikes in Ukraine
12:00 , Holly Evans
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
11:00 , Holly Evans
Ukraine launched a wave of drone strikes deep into Russia this week, hitting a major logistics hub belonging to e-commerce Wildberries in the Ryazan region.
Ukrainian drones struck two more warehouses belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries overnight on Thursday, sparking fires at both sites, the company and a regional official said.
Ukraine has attacked about a dozen Wildberries sites since July 18 in a bid to disrupt the operations of the company, a linchpin of the consumer economy that is often described as Russia's answer to Amazon. Kyiv accused the firm of helping to bolster Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
Read the full analysis here:
Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s ‘Amazon’ Wildberries with major strikes
Zelensky calls for US and Europe to approve Patriot missiles package
10:00 , Holly Evans
Volodymyr Zelensky has called for anti-ballistic missiles to be given to Ukraine instead of sitting “in stockpiles”.
The Ukrainian president has issued his plea to Europe and the United States, as he requests further sanctions to stop Russia from producing ballistic weapons.
In a post on social media, he said: “The world has Patriot missiles. What matters now is for our partners to make the political decision to provide the necessary packages.
“The United States knows what we need. Europe knows what we need. Anti-ballistic missiles must protect people – not sit in stockpiles. And every day without this vital assistance gives Russia another chance to kill our people.
:And right now, the response must also include additional and real sanctions.”
Of course, we see every leader and every country that responds to Russia’s strikes on Ukraine. But the only strong and just response – the one that truly achieves its goal and helps people – is additional support for our state. The world has Patriot missiles. What matters now is… pic.twitter.com/tt5OlKTM5K
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 1, 2026
Ripped from their families and shipped to Russia: The tragic story of Ukraine’s children
09:00 , Holly Evans
Sofia is an 11-year-old Ukrainian girl with scars on her face and light brown hair in a ponytail. She recalls vividly what happened when Russian troops entered her village.
“They took the 16-year-old girls to their place,” she recounts tearfully. “When the girls came back, their clothes were torn. Everything was torn. The Russians behaved badly with those girls.
“Everyone was panicking. We didn’t know what to do, where to go. The Russians came to my house. They checked my toys, my hairpins, and my clothes… They threatened my parents. They had weapons. If you say anything, they might kill you.”
Read the full article here:
Ripped from their families and sent to Russia: The tragic story of Ukraine’s children
Ukraine says it struck oil refinery and air base in Russia's Saratov region
08:52 , Holly Evans
Ukrainian forces have attacked the Saratov oil refinery in southwestern Russia and the Engels military air base in the same region, Kyiv's military said on Sunday.
In a statement, the General Staff said the strikes had sparked fires at both facilities. It said its forces had also struck an oil depot in the western Kaluga region.
Explosion in Moscow restaurant caused by an IED
08:00 , Holly Evans
The explosion was caused by an IED which was detonated remotely, Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee has said.
Three people were killed and 21 otheres were injured after an "improvised explosive device" exploded at a restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square, one of the seven skyscraper towers built by Stalin.
It said the three people who died were:
- A security guard who stopped the unidentified woman from entering the building with the explosive device
- the woman
- a visitor
The Russian newspaper Kommersant said it was likely the woman was unaware of the contents of the parcel.
Quoting its own sources, Kommersant said the targets were guests on the restaurant's outdoor summer terrace.
As millions jet off on holiday, meet the men choosing to go to a warzone with total strangers
07:23 , Holly Evans
It’s hard to travel off the beaten track any more. Thanks to social media, no site is unseen, no viewpoint unphotographed, and no hidden gem concealed for long. According to the World Tourism Barometer, this is pushing more of us to holiday further afield – Brazil, Curaçao and Uzbekistan saw some of the largest increases in visitor numbers last year.
But some are willing to take things further than others. For four years, one group has seen plenty of new sights – by driving into an active warzone.
Ukrainian Action, a charity set up after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, has just sent its 500th vehicle full of aid and equipment across Europe to support Ukrainians in need on and off the front line. With Russian airstrikes actively targeting ordinary homes, civilian businesses, and infrastructure facilities with ballistic missiles and drones, killing at least 26 people, including four children, in separate attacks this week, Ukraine is a highly volatile place to be.
Read the full article here:
As millions jet off on holiday, meet the men going to a warzone with total strangers
Pictures: Cleanup and rescue operations completed in Kyiv after Russian attack
06:45 , Shweta Sharma
Emergency services in Kyiv have completed rescue and recovery operations following Russia's attack overnight into Saturday, with officials confirming that nine people were killed and 33 others injured.
A total of 206 emergency personnel and 42 pieces of equipment were deployed to respond to the aftermath of the strike.
Russia fired a record number of missiles at Ukraine in July
06:20 , Shweta Sharma
Russia fired a record 376 missiles at Ukraine in July, according to an AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data.
According to reports published by Kyiv’s air force, Russia has launched more than twice the number of missiles at Ukraine in July than in June.
A significant number of these attacks targeted Kyiv, which saw some of the deadliest strikes.
Russia also fired 4,956 long-range drones at Ukraine during the month, down 14 per cent on June.
Moscow attack that killed three in pictures
05:50 , Shweta Sharma
Pictures showed emergency services and heavily armed security personnel surrounding the blast site outside the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central Moscow.
Three people were killed and at least 21 injured after a bomb exploded outside an upscale Italian restaurant on Saturday evening.
Ukraine says it struck Russian container ship in Black Sea
05:30 , Shweta Sharma
Ukraine struck a sanctioned Russian-flagged container ship in the Black Sea, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.
The vessel, Yanina, has a capacity of more than 100,000 metric tonnes and was targeted during Ukrainian operations in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov using domestically produced "middle-strike" weapons, Zelensky said.
"Our targets are consistently defined facilities that sustain the war effort," he wrote, adding: "Grateful to Ukrainian warriors who are bringing the war back to Russia and responding to its attacks against life."
Grateful to Ukrainian warriors who are bringing the war back to Russia and responding to its attacks against life. Our targets are consistently defined facilities that sustain the war effort.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 1, 2026
Middle strikes were carried out overnight, with successful hits in the Black Sea and… pic.twitter.com/B4q8HMVl0j
Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom confirmed the strike, saying the ship was hit by two Ukrainian naval drones in international waters about 130 nautical miles from the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev said all 17 crew members were rescued.
How the Moscow restaurant attack unfolded
05:21 , Shweta Sharma
A bomb explosion near an upscale Italian restaurant in central Moscow killed three people and injured at least 21 on Saturday evening in what Russian authorities described as a terrorist attack.
The blast occurred shortly before 8pm local time outside the Balzi Rossi restaurant at Kudrinskaya Square, one of Moscow's landmark Stalin-era skyscrapers.
Russia's Anti-Terrorism Committee said an unidentified woman attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard. Moments later, the explosive device she was carrying detonated.
The woman, the security guard and a restaurant customer were killed in the explosion, while at least 21 others suffered injuries of varying severity, according to police.
State news agency RIA Novosti published footage showing heavily armed security forces securing the area after the blast. Authorities cordoned off the scene and launched an investigation but did not identify the victims or say who they believed was behind the attack.
Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing unnamed sources, reported that investigators believe the bomb was intended to target guests seated on the restaurant's outdoor terrace. The newspaper said the device may have been detonated remotely and that the woman carrying it may not have known it contained explosives. These reports have not been independently verified.
Russian oil refinery and military airbase struck - reports
05:06 , Shweta Sharma
Ukrainian drones struck a Russian military airbase in the city of Engels and an oil refinery in nearby Saratov overnight, according to Russian officials and monitoring channels, with regional authorities saying two people were killed.
Explosions were reported at the Engels airbase, while a fire broke out at the Saratov oil refinery after it was hit by drones, Kyiv Independent reported, citing a Telegram monitoring channel Exilenova Plus.
Saratov region Governor Roman Busargin said two people were killed in the attacks and that civilian infrastructure in both cities was damaged. He did not specify whether the deaths occurred at the military or industrial sites.
The reports could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian military.
Lithuania condemns Russian strike near embassy, calls it 'campaign of terror'
05:00 , Shweta Sharma
Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda condemned Russia's latest attack on Kyiv after a missile exploded just steps from Lithuania's embassy, damaging the building but causing no injuries to embassy staff.
"This is yet another reminder that Russia's terror knows no limits. And that Ukraine is defending not only its own people, but the security of all Europe," Nauseda said, urging allies to provide Ukraine with more modern air defence systems.
Lithuania's foreign ministry said it will summon a Russian representative in Vilnius over the strike.
Foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys said Russia's "campaign of terror" showed no willingness to seek peace.
"The Kremlin’s objective remains the same: destruction, death and intimidation. The response is clear: increase pressure on Russia through stronger sanctions and step up support for Ukraine," Budrys said.
What we know about Russia's missile salvo that killed nine people
04:30 , Shweta Sharma
At least nine people were killed and 30 others injured after Russia launched another barrage of ballistic missiles on Kyiv yesterday.
The attack marked the second large-scale Russian strike in just 48 hours.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service (DSNS) said rescue operations were ongoing, with a total of 105 people rescued from damaged buildings.
Fires broke out, while residential buildings and industrial sites were damaged across at least five districts of the city.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said 18 residential buildings, a school, the Lithuanian embassy and critical infrastructure were among the sites damaged in the attacks.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia fired a total of 35 missiles, including 27 ballistic missiles, as well as 85 Shahed-type drones overnight.
Only two missiles were intercepted, while 154 drones were shot down.
"Only one ballistic missile was shot down tonight simply because there are no missiles for the Patriots," Zelensky said.
"And it is precisely this shortage of interceptors against ballistic missiles that only encourages Russia to launch such strikes against life."
Crimean families queue for hot meals as Ukraine hits power supply
03:54 , Shweta Sharma
Residents in the Russian-occupied Crimean town of Massandra queued for free hot meals as prolonged power outages caused by Ukrainian strikes left many unable to cook at home.
Cities and towns across Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, have had to cope with limited fuel supplies for much of the summer amid Ukrainian attacks on power plants and other infrastructure.
Ukraine, whose own cities have been under repeated attack since Moscow sent thousands of troops into the country in 2022, says it is "bringing the war back home to Russia" by intensifying strikes deep inside the country and on territory its neighbour controls.
Standing beside boiling vats of buckwheat, later to be added to plates of reheated tinned beef, Massandra town administration head Oksana Madyud said her workers were serving roughly 200 people per day.
"We're preparing hot meals for people, as under the current circumstances not everyone has the means to cook hot food on electric hobs," she said.
One local woman, Marina, said pain in her leg was making the climb down from her 10th-floor apartment difficult, but the lack of electricity had sent her hunting for a gas cooker and some cylinders.
"There's nothing up there," she said, referring to her apartment.
"We've got an electric cooker - that's it."Another older resident, Alexandra, said she had been lured down by the smell of the lunch after going without electricity for 10 days.
"They turned it back on today, at 4 o'clock" in the afternoon, but she wasn't sure the lights would still be on when she returned home, she added.
'Ukrainian drones' sink Rosatom vessel in Black Sea
03:00 , Alex Croft
Two Ukrainian drones hit and sank a civilian vessel owned by Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom sailing in the Black Sea overnight on Friday, the company's head, Alexei Likhachev, said in a statement on Saturday.
All 17 crew members survived the attack on the ship, which was transporting goods such as frozen food and construction materials, Likhachev added.
"Such an attack can only be described as piracy and maritime robbery," he said.
Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up attacks in recent weeks on ships that they say are aiding the other side's war effort.
Watch: Trump says he wants Zelensky and Putin to end Ukraine war
01:30 , Alex Croft
Zelensky says latest attacks show Ukraine's need for Patriot missiles
Sunday 2 August 2026 00:00 , Alex Croft
President Volodymyr Zelensky has pressed the US and other Western partners regarding Ukraine’s need for more Patriot anti-ballistic missile defence systems to counter aerial attacks from Russia.
“Every package of ballistic missile interceptors saves the lives of our people. And every night without them results in more casualties,” he wrote on X following the latest attacks.
The Ukrainian leader late Friday said he spoke to US vice president JD Vance and discussed a meeting with president Donald Trump earlier this week in Washington, which Zelensky described as “positive and productive.”
“The Russian air strikes on our country continue and air defence, specifically interceptors for Patriot systems against ballistic missiles, remains a top priority,” Zelensky said on Friday in a post on Telegram.
Moscow bomb aimed to maim and kill guests of well-guarded party in upscale Italian restaurant - report
Saturday 1 August 2026 23:24 , Alex Croft
The Kommersant daily newspaper has cited sources as saying that the bomb had been intended to maim and kill guests who were enjoying themselves on the upscale Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant's summer terrace outside.
The restaurant's website said the venue had been closed on Saturday for a private event, but it is unclear who was present.
The party, the paper reported, was heavily guarded, which helped prevent casualties.
Kommersant added that preliminary reports suggest the courier likely didn’t know what the contents of the package were.
The newspaper reported that the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee is investigating the incident as a terrorism crime.
Latest pictures from the scene of the explosion in Moscow
Saturday 1 August 2026 23:19 , Alex Croft
