On Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the recent explosions at the facility of its Consulate General in Marseille, France, had the marks of a terrorist attack.
"The blasts on the grounds of the Russian Consulate General in Marseille bear all the characteristics of a terrorist attack. We call for the country accrediting them to take thorough and timely actions to investigate, and measures to enhance the security of Russian foreign missions," said Maria Zakharova, the ministry's spokeswoman, in an interview with the state-run Tass news agency.
The explosion reportedly occurred at about 8 AM outside the consulate without causing any injuries, as reported by Russian and French media. The accident prompted an emergency response, with around 30 rescue workers and firefighters sent to the scene, according to Tass, quoting French television broadcaster BFMTV.
Reports say that unidentified attackers threw two firebombs into the consulate's garden. A stolen car was also found in the area, heightening security fears around the attack.
In reaction, the Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned French authorities to carry out an exhaustive and swift investigation while increasing security around Russian diplomatic missions in the country.
This comes against the background of escalating tensions between Russia and Western countries, after the European Union recently announced its 16th package of sanctions against Moscow. The incident also comes at the third anniversary of the eruption of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Only last week, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed that Ukrainian officials were planning to attack Russian diplomatic missions in Europe, particularly in Germany, the Baltic States, and Scandinavia. The SVR further indicated that Slovakia and Hungary could also be attacked as part of a bid to discredit EU countries that have adopted a balanced approach towards the Ukraine crisis.
