Vladimir Putin's top commander, 53, killed in Moscow bomb blast

 A secret burial has been held for one of Russian President Vladimr Putin's top commanders, reports say.

Lt-Gen Igor Yerusalimov, 53, was one of five killed in a bomb blast at an elite restaurant in Moscow over the weekend.

High-ranking military officials, politicians and bureaucrats gathered inside the Balzi Rossi restaurant on Saturday, August 1 when the home-made device detonated.

The incident occurred during the 55th birthday party of senior commander Col-Gen Alexander Chayko, head of Russian Aerospace Forces.

Yerusalimov was at the front of the restaurant when a female courier was stopped by a security operative as she carried a "gift" for Chayko.

It is being reported that the woman carrying the gift was likely used as a "suicide bomber" without her knowledge.

The woman carrying the bomb and the security officer were among those killed in the incident.

Nine others were wounded.

Chayko is believed to have been unhurt.

The decorated official was the commander of Russian forces on the Kyiv front during the Bucha Massacre when his troops committed mass rapes and tortures.

Ukraine 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" in the explosion on Saturday, while his son-in-law, Daniil Peredriy, 27, was killed from wounds in the blast, according to sources.

The Kremlin did not share the names of the other victims of a suspected Ukrainian special services operation.

Yerusalimov was the most senior victim of the explosions at the £85,000 party.

He was twice promoted by Putin, according to Telegram channel VKCh-OGPU. The channel has close links to law enforcement.

His high-security burial took place at Troekurovskoye cemetery.

Yerusalimov's death is the latest in more than a dozen Russian generals killed since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.