Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Sunday condemned the explosion in a central Moscow restaurant as a "cruel terrorist act."

When a blast wave shakes the centre of a metropolis and smoke rises above Stalin-era high rises, the line between everyday life and war is instantly erased in the minds of millions. A restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square – a place where people gathered to celebrate, laugh and forget their worries – turned into a scene of tragedy in an instant.

Terrorism, which usually seems remote, suddenly knocks on the door of an upmarket establishment, reminding us that evil does not choose places or times. And when the mayor of Moscow speaks of a "cruel terrorist act", behind these words lies not just an official formulation – it is pain, anger and resolve shared by millions of citizens today. But at the same time, a question arises: how can we protect everyday life when the threat can be hidden in a random visitor's handbag?

The incident occurred on Saturday at a prestigious restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square, killing three people and injuring at least 21. "Yesterday, a cruel terrorist act was committed in Moscow, which claimed human lives," Sergei Sobyanin wrote in a social media post. The restaurant, located on the ground floor of a well known Stalin era high rise near Barrikadnaya metro station, was hosting a private event with about 50 guests at the time of the incident.

According to Russia's National Anti Terrorism Committee, a woman attempted to bring an improvised explosive device into the establishment but was intercepted by a security guard. An explosion then occurred, followed by a third degree fire. Among the dead are the woman who tried to detonate the device, the security guard and a restaurant visitor. Six of the injured remain in serious condition, and medical teams are working to stabilise them. The area around the scene was cordoned off all night, with bomb disposal experts and emergency services working on site. Even the night cycling race along the Garden Ring was cancelled.

Moscow is no stranger to terrorist threats: over the past two decades, the city has experienced several high profile attacks, including bombings in the metro and near the FSB building. However, in recent years, street security in the city centre had been considered relatively stable, and this incident came as a shock to the public. Authorities have tightened security measures in crowded places, and law enforcement agencies have begun inspecting private security firms responsible for the restaurant's safety. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on terrorism charges, and officials have promised to find all those involved in organising the attack, including those who may have directed the suicide bomber.

As CCTV+ reports, the tragedy on Kudrinskaya Square has once again raised the question of the need to strengthen anti terrorist protection not only for state institutions but also for private establishments, which remain vulnerable in the face of modern threats.