5 August 2026

The funeral of a major general suspected of having died in the Balzi Rossi restaurant explosion took place in a highly confidential atmosphere at Moscow’s Troekurovskoye Cemetery, the VChK-OGPU news agency reports . According to the channel, the ceremony was held under heightened security: FSO officers were on duty at the cemetery from early morning, several buses carrying National Guard troops arrived on the premises, the entrance was blocked, and cars were inspected by traffic police and civilians. Drivers and visitors were screened through metal detectors. An honor guard carrying the flag of the Aerospace Forces accompanied the procession, but the flag of the Ground Forces was placed at the prepared grave.

According to eyewitnesses, a “rather young” major general was buried. Among those present, according to the VChK-OGPU channel, there was speculation that the deceased might have been a friend of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, General Alexander Chaiko, and had attended his 55th birthday celebration at the Balzi Rossi restaurant. However, the channel emphasizes that there is no official confirmation of this information yet.

An explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant occurred on the evening of August 1. Initially, a gas leak was blamed, but the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) later reported that an explosive device detonated after a woman tried to smuggle it in as a gift. Five people were killed and at least 19 others were injured.

The alleged target of the assassination attempt may have been General Chaiko himself, whom Ukrainian authorities accuse of involvement in the Bucha crimes. His condition after the incident remains unknown, but his son-in-law was killed in the explosion, and his 25-year-old daughter, Maria Chaiko, may have been injured. 

https://ru.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/05/v-moskve-posle-vzriva-v-restorane-balzi-rossi-proshli-sekretnie-pohoroni-generala-minoboroni-a202789