According to preliminary reports, the incident in the Karelian town of Olonets was preceded by a conflict between the bar's Azerbaijani renter and local youths. A canister with an inflammable liquid was found at the site.
The bar belongs to a Chechen national living in Olonets, which has the largest Chechen community in Karelia.
The northwestern Russian republic hit the headlines in early September when a fatal brawl in the city of Kondopoga triggered a wave of protests against criminal immigrant groups from the Caucasus, which control the local markets. Following the rioting, many Chechens fled the city fearing for their lives.
A total of 109 people were detained on suspicion of being involved in the mass disturbances in the city of 35,000, and criminal cases were opened against eight.
