Fastrack · Moscow Mayor Declares Restaurant Bombing a Terrorist Attack

A bomb exploded at a restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, killing three people. Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said a woman carried the device to the entrance before it detonated.

21 people were injured, according to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee.
Three dead: the woman with the device, a security guard, and a patron.
8:10 p.m. local time was when the blast occurred at Kudrinskaya Square.
Barrikadnaya metro station entrances were closed; traffic near the square was blocked.

Why it matters: The blast hit a busy, upscale district of central Moscow during a private dinner event at the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant, per the Baza news outlet.

Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a formal inquiry into the bombing.

How 32 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 32 sources

32 sources · 53 articles · 41% Right coverage

Where they split: Early reporting diverged on the cause — Russia's anti-terrorism body said a homemade explosive device, while Russian state TV speculated about a gas canister, which Reuters could not confirm.

Center coverage, 12 sources: The center frames the event as a confirmed bombing, citing the National Anti-Terrorism Committee and emphasizing the security guard's role in blocking the bomber.

Associated Press1w+Alcalde de Moscú califica de "acto terrorista" el ataque mortal del sábado en un restaurante

Reuters1w+Mulher-bomba mata pelo menos três pessoas e fere 21 perto de restaurante em Moscou, segundo autoridades YNYahoo News1w+Deadly bomb explosion at Moscow restaurant was ‘terrorist attack,’ mayor says

BBC News1w+Steve Rosenberg: Outside Moscow restaurant after bomb kills three CNCTV News1w+Moscow mayor calls a deadly bomb attack on a restaurant a 'terrorist act'

Deutsche Welle1w+Moscow restaurant blast a 'brutal terror attack,' mayor says

France 241w+Three people killed in Moscow bombing

Bloomberg1w+Bomb Kills Three, Injures 21 at Restaurant on Moscow’s Kudrinskaya Square

Jerusalem Post1w+Homemade explosive carried by woman kills three, wounds at least 21 at Moscow restaurant

PBS NewsHour1w+Moscow mayor calls a deadly bomb attack on a restaurant a 'terrorist act'SNScripps News1w+Deadly bomb explosion at Moscow restaurant was ‘terrorist attack,’ mayor says TITimes of Israel1w+Moscow blast kills 3, including suspected bomber, and injures 21, authorities say

Left coverage, 7 sources: The left covers the event as a developing news incident, leading with casualty figures and official statements while withholding conclusions about cause or perpetrator.

Al Jazeera1w+At least three killed in explosion near cafe in Russia’s Moscow

The Independent1w+Moscow mayor calls Saturday's deadly bomb attack on restaurant a 'terrorist act'

Los Angeles Times1w+Moscow mayor calls restaurant bombing a 'terrorist act'

ABC News1w+Explosion in Moscow leaves at least 3 dead, 21 injured

CNN1w+At least 3 dead in explosion at Moscow restaurant TBGThe Boston Globe1w+Moscow mayor calls a deadly bomb attack on a restaurant a ‘terrorist act’

The Guardian1w+Moscow restaurant bombing kills three people as device carried by woman explodes

Right coverage, 13 sources: The right leads with the homemade device and the bomber's identity, placing the attack in the context of Moscow's Stalin-era landmarks and armed law enforcement response.