A loud explosion rang out close to the Russian consulate at Avenue Ambroise-Paré in Marseille on Monday (February 24). The blast happened on the third anniversary of the war between Russia and Ukraine, heating up tensions.
Sputnik reported, as quoted by Stanislav Oransky, Russian Consul General in Marseille, that the explosion occurred within the consulate. It is reported that unknown attackers hurled two Molotov cocktails onto the premises, resulting in the blast.
The authorities also discovered a stolen vehicle in the vicinity of the attack, giving the investigation yet another dimension. Officials have not confirmed any victims or reported the level of destruction.
Russia Calls for Urgent Action
Terming the blasts as a “terrorist attack,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the attack.
“The blasts on the Russian Consulate General territory in Marseille have all the features of a terror attack,” she was cited by TASS.
She called on France to adopt “thorough and immediate measures” to investigate the case and strengthen security at Russian diplomatic compounds.
Incident Coincides with Ukraine War Anniversary
The attack is on the third anniversary of the war between Russia and Ukraine, a war that has killed thousands and displaced more than six million Ukrainians.
Since it began its “special military operation” in 2022, Russia now occupies almost one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea, 99% of Luhansk, and significant parts of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.