Explosions at Russian Consulate in Marseille: Two Arrested Amid Tensions Over Ukraine Invasion Anniversary
French authorities arrested two individuals after improvised explosive devices were thrown at the Russian consulate in Marseille, as confirmed by prosecutors on February 25. This incident occurred on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. Thankfully, the attack did not result in any injuries.
Police reported that three plastic soda bottles were hurled into the consulate's gardens, with only two of them exploding. The Kremlin condemned the incident as a terrorist attack, while the French government expressed its condemnation of any actions that threaten the security of diplomatic missions.
According to the Marseille prosecutor's office, the detained individuals are adults, but no further details have been released at this time. A local newspaper, La Provence, indicated that the suspects were identified during a pro-Ukraine demonstration that took place on Monday evening.
Witnesses in the surrounding neighborhood told Agence France-Presse that they had not heard any explosions, suggesting that the blasts may have gone unnoticed amidst the ongoing protests.
The attack highlights the heightened tensions surrounding the anniversary of the Russian invasion, which has ignited one of the most significant conflicts in Europe since World War II. As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate, incidents like these serve as stark reminders of the ongoing turmoil and polarization surrounding the conflict.
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