A powerful explosion rocked the center of Moscow near the popular Balzi Rossi restaurant. The incident, which occurred on August 1, 2026, claimed the lives of five people and sparked discussions about a new wave of threats against the top command of the Russian army. Russian authorities classified the event as a terrorist act, while the investigation suggested that the explosive device was hidden inside a gift box and activated remotely.
The Theory Regarding General Chaiko and the Authorities' Reaction
Immediately following the explosion, reports appeared in Telegram channels suggesting that the target of the attack could have been Colonel General Alexander Chaiko. In May 2026, he took command of the Russian Aerospace Forces. However, official representatives of the Kremlin and security agencies have not yet confirmed that Chaiko was the specific target of the assassination attempt. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin labeled the incident a terrorist act, but details of the investigation, particularly regarding who was behind the attack, remain classified.
A Series of Attacks on Top Command
The explosion at the restaurant is not an isolated case. Over the past two years, at least six attempts to eliminate high-ranking Russian generals far from the front lines have been recorded. These incidents indicate that the risk zone for commanders has expanded to include rear-area cities.
Key events that have changed the security landscape in Russia:
- December 2024: Igor Kirillov, head of the Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense Forces, was killed in Moscow. An explosive device was attached to a scooter near his home. His aide, Ilya Polyakarpov, also died. Russian investigators claimed the perpetrator was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
- April 2025: Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff, was killed in Balashikha when his car was blown up.
- December 2025: The car of Fanil Sarvarov, Head of the Operational Training Directorate of the General Staff, exploded in southern Moscow. A criminal case was opened, but no arrests of suspects were announced.
- February 2026: An assassination attempt was made on Vladimir Alekseev, First Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, in Moscow. The general survived.
- April 2026: Reports emerged of a probable assassination attempt on Major General Azatbek Omurbekov, whom Ukrainian authorities accuse of involvement in crimes in Bucha. No official confirmation followed.
New Methods and Consequences
Attack methods range from car bombings to the use of everyday items, such as scooters and gift boxes, as mine traps. This indicates a high level of preparation among the perpetrators and their ability to operate in densely populated capital areas. The explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant, which claimed five lives, became the most prominent incident in this series, raising questions about the safety of high-ranking officials even in peacetime conditions in the rear.
