The Russian foreign ministry has demanded a thorough investigation from the French authorities.
An explosion occurred at the Russian consulate in Marseille, France, on February 24, confirmed the Russian consul general in the city. Russian news outlet RBC reported that the blast took place inside the building, citing a statement from Stanislav Oranskiy, Russia's consul general in Marseille.
French media had earlier reported that a blast was heard near the Russian consulate in the southern port city and firemen were at the site. The incident took place on the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Russian state news agency TASS quoted the Russian foreign ministry saying that the incident had the hallmarks of a terrorist attack and demanded a thorough investigation from French authorities. As per reports, unidentified attackers threw two Molotov cocktails inside the consulate. A stolen car was also found near the scene. No casualties have been reported so far. Municipal police have cordoned off the area.
Reuters quoted the Kremlin saying that the foreign ministry was doing everything to draw France's attention to the need for security measures.