An explosion occurred at the Russian consulate in Marseille, France, raising concerns about security at diplomatic missions. Russian officials have called for a thorough investigation, labelling the incident as a possible "terrorist attack."
The blast was confirmed by Russia’s consul general in Marseille, Stanislav Oranskiy. Reports suggest that the explosion took place inside the building, and emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene.
French media had earlier reported a loud blast near the consulate, prompting firefighters to arrive at the location.
The explosion happened on the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, adding to the sensitivity of the situation. Russian state media reported that unidentified individuals threw two Molotov cocktails inside the consulate premises.
A stolen car was also found near the area, increasing speculation about the attack’s nature and intent.
So far, no casualties have been reported. French municipal authorities have sealed off the area as investigations continue.
Moscow has expressed serious concern, demanding that France take necessary security measures to protect Russian diplomatic missions. The Kremlin stated that its foreign ministry was actively working to bring this matter to the attention of French officials.
A Reminder of Past Attacks on Russian Diplomatic Missions
The incident in Marseille has revived memories of a deadly attack on the Russian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, more than two years ago. In September 2022, a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the entrance of the embassy, killing at least six people.
Two of the victims were Russian embassy employees, while the remaining four were Afghan nationals who had gathered to apply for visas.
The ISIL (ISIS) group had claimed responsibility for the Kabul attack, stating that one of its fighters had carried out a suicide bombing near Russian staff members outside the embassy.
It was considered the first major attack on a foreign diplomatic mission in Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control of the country in August 2021.
Following the Kabul incident, the Kremlin strongly condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable. The United Nations had also expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The Taliban government had assured Russia and other nations that it would enhance security for embassies operating in Afghanistan.
A Taliban spokesperson at the time had reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining good relations with Russia and ensuring the safety of foreign diplomats. Despite such assurances, concerns remained over the security of diplomatic missions in conflict-prone regions.
Investigation Underway in Marseille
While the Russian foreign ministry has labelled the explosion in Marseille as an act of terror, no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. French authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause and identify those involved.
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