Russia’s ambassador to Ankara has been killed in a gun attack in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Russia’s foreign ministry said.
Andrey Karlov was several minutes into a speech at a photo exhibition when he was shot in the back multiple times on Monday evening.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the announcement of Karlov’s death in a live televised statement.
The gunman was a 22-year-old off-duty police officer who worked in the Turkish capital, Ankara’s mayor said.
After he shot the diplomat, the assailant let the guests out of the exhibition venue, according to local media.
Russia’s foreign ministry described the shooting, which was captured on video, as a “terror attack.”
“We are currently in contact with Turkish authorities, who are assuring us that a thorough, comprehensive investigation will be conducted,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in remarks broadcast on Russian television.
“Murderers will be punished. Terrorism won’t sustain. We’ll fight it.”
