Explosive attack targets Russian Consulate in France
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The Kremlin has raised concerns about security measures in France following the incident, which it described as a possible act of terrorism.
French police officers stand in front of the Russian consulate in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Friday, February 25, 2022. (AP)
Three projectiles were thrown over the perimeter wall of Russia’s consulate in Marseille, France, on Monday, two of which exploded, according to Marseille police.
The incendiary devices were thrown into the consulate’s garden, and investigators are currently analyzing the contents of the three soda bottles used as projectiles.
'A terrorist attack'
The Kremlin has raised concerns about security measures in France following the incident, which it described as a possible act of terrorism. Russia has called for a comprehensive investigation, as reported by state news agency TASS.
"The explosions at the Russian Consulate General in Marseille have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack," TASS quoted Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, as saying.
No one was injured, and consulate staff were kept inside while bomb disposal experts conducted inspections.
It is worth noting that the attack occurred on the third anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Russia and the United States are holding talks about the cessation of the fighting in Ukraine, sidelining the European Union and Ukraine itself.
Russian and American officials met in Riyadh on February 18 in a bid to work towards ending the war in Ukraine and bolstering diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the talks were the beginning of dialogue, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the discussions as "very useful" emphasizing that communication between the two countries was very effective.
This meeting was preceded by discussions to end the war in Ukraine between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump first announcing this on February 9.
