On Monday, it was reported that two explosive projectiles went off near the Russian consulate in Marseille, France, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Another soda bottle was thrown over the facility’s wall but did not detonate. No injuries were reported, and authorities are currently examining the contents of the incendiary devices, as per Reuters.
“The incidents at the Russian consulate general in Marseille have the characteristics of a terrorist assault,” stated Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova in an interview with the state-owned TASS news agency.
“We demand that the host country take immediate, thorough action to investigate the incident, as well as measures to improve the security of Russia’s foreign facilities,” she added.
French firefighters and rescue forces work near the entrance of the Russian consulate in Marseille, France, on Monday. (Reuters)
Photos taken at the scene showed firefighters and first responders gathering outside the entrance of the consulate.
Staff at the facility were kept inside while bomb disposal officers were conducting checks on the devices, Reuters reported.
Russia is describing the incident as a “terrorist attack.” (Reuters)
Multiple protests against Russia’s war in Ukraine have unfolded in Marseille since Putin’s forces invaded the country on Feb. 24, 2022.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
