At least three people have been killed and 21 injured after a homemade bomb exploded at an Italian restaurant in central Moscow, according to Russian state media citing security officials. The blast, which took place at a private event, marks a significant security incident in the Russian capital and comes amid heightened concerns over such attacks during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee said a woman carrying the explosive device attempted to enter the restaurant but was stopped by a security guard before it detonated. The explosion occurred at around 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT) in Kudrinskaya Square, near Moscow's city centre. The BBC's Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, reported from the scene shortly afterwards.