Lt-Gen Igor Yerusalimov, 53, a top Russian commander, was killed in a bomb blast at an exclusive Moscow restaurant over the weekend. The explosion killed five people and injured nine others.
The blast occurred on Saturday, August 1, at the Balzi Rossi restaurant during a 55th birthday party for Col-Gen Alexander Chayko, head of Russian Aerospace Forces. High-ranking military officials, politicians, and bureaucrats were present.
Details of the Attack
Yerusalimov was at the front of the restaurant when a female courier carrying a "gift" for Chayko was stopped by a security operative. Reports suggest she was likely used as a "suicide bomber" without her knowledge. Both the woman and the security officer were killed in the blast.
Chayko, who commanded Russian forces on the Kyiv front during the Bucha Massacre, is believed to have been unhurt. Ukraine has designated him a wanted "war criminal" over his alleged role in the 2022 attacks. His daughter Maria, 25, was seriously wounded with a traumatic brain injury, and his son-in-law, Daniil Peredriy, 27, was killed.
Impact and Aftermath
Yerusalimov was the most senior victim of the incident at the £85,000 party. He was twice promoted by Putin, according to Telegram channel VKCh-OGPU. His high-security burial took place at Troekurovskoye cemetery.
His death is the latest in more than a dozen Russian generals killed since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
