The explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in central moscow, which occurred on the evening of August 1, may have been an assassination attempt on Alexander Chayko, the Commander-in-Chief of the russian Aerospace Forces.

The russian media outlets Vazhnye Istorii and Novaya Gazeta have reported this.

According to russian sources, Chayko’s 55th birthday was to be celebrated at the restaurant. In a video posted by pro-russian blogger Anatoly Shariy before the explosion, the words “Alexander 55” can be seen on the stage. The general himself was born on July 27 and celebrated his 55th birthday this year.

Russian “military correspondents” Kirill Fedorov and the author of the Telegram channel “Notes of a Veteran” (zapiski veterana) also reported on Chayko’s possible presence. Meanwhile, the anonymous channel “VChK-OGPU” claims that the guests included high-ranking FSB officials, lawmakers, government officials, and generals from the russian Ministry of Defense.

What is known about the explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant?

Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee stated that a homemade explosive device went off in the restaurant. According to the official account, it was brought into the restaurant by a woman who was killed in the explosion.

The publication Kommersant, citing its own sources, reports that the explosive, packed with metal pellets, was detonated remotely. According to a preliminary account, the woman may not have known what was inside the package.

The following people were killed in the explosion:

• the woman who brought the explosive device;
• a restaurant security guard;
• another patron of the restaurant.

At least 21 people were injured.

It is not known for certain whether Alexander Chayko was in the restaurant at the time of the explosion. The Telegram channel “Novaya Ploshchad,” which publishes unconfirmed insider information about the russian government, claims that the general is alive and allegedly read a message on Telegram after the incident. There is no official confirmation of this information.

After the explosion, police and the russian National Guard cordoned off the area around the restaurant, and moscow authorities postponed a planned nighttime bike festival.

Who is Alexander Chayko?

In May 2026, Alexander Chayko was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the russian federation’s Aerospace Forces.

According to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in 2022, Chayko commanded a russian force that was advancing on Kyiv from the west. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, he set up his headquarters in a seized kindergarten in the village of Zdvyzhivka in the Bucha District and directed combat operations in the Kyiv Region.

In Ukraine, Chayko is being tried in absentia for war crimes. Investigators believe he ordered airstrikes on residential buildings in Borodianka and other settlements in the Kyiv Region. Prior to the full-scale invasion, he was also accused of involvement in the bombing of civilian targets in Syria.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on Chayko, holding him responsible for the actions of russian troops during the occupation of Bucha.

© 2026 Ukrainian News Agency