Projectiles Thrown at Russian Consulate in France, One Explodes, Says Source

Bomb-squad officers prepare a demining robot in front of the Russian consulate in Marseille, after improvised explosive devices were thrown, on February 24, 2025. (AFP)
Bomb-squad officers prepare a demining robot in front of the Russian consulate in Marseille, after improvised explosive devices were thrown, on February 24, 2025. (AFP)
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Projectiles Thrown at Russian Consulate in France, One Explodes, Says Source

Bomb-squad officers prepare a demining robot in front of the Russian consulate in Marseille, after improvised explosive devices were thrown, on February 24, 2025. (AFP)
Bomb-squad officers prepare a demining robot in front of the Russian consulate in Marseille, after improvised explosive devices were thrown, on February 24, 2025. (AFP)

Two projectiles were thrown at the perimeter wall of Russia's consulate in the southern French port city of Marseille on Monday, one of which exploded, a French security source said. 

It was not immediately clear if the projectiles cleared the wall. BFM TV said the projectiles were Molotov cocktails and that they landed in the consulate's garden. 

Russia demanded a full French investigation and said the incident looked like an act of terrorism, state news agency TASS reported. 

No one was injured, the security source said. Consulate staff were kept indoors and police set up a security perimeter around the consulate. 

The incident in the southern French city took place on the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. 

"The explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in Marseille have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack," TASS quoted Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. 

Marseille, France’s second-largest city and a major Mediterranean port, is home to a diverse population but does not have a notably large Russian community. France has seen multiple protests against Russia’s war in Ukraine since 2022, including demonstrations in Marseille, Paris, and other cities. 



UK and India Discuss ‘Counter-Terrorism’ Cooperation After Pakistan Ceasefire

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaks during a press conference with Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita (not pictured) in Rabat, Morocco, 01 June 2025. (EPA)
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaks during a press conference with Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita (not pictured) in Rabat, Morocco, 01 June 2025. (EPA)
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UK and India Discuss ‘Counter-Terrorism’ Cooperation After Pakistan Ceasefire

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaks during a press conference with Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita (not pictured) in Rabat, Morocco, 01 June 2025. (EPA)
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaks during a press conference with Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita (not pictured) in Rabat, Morocco, 01 June 2025. (EPA)

Britain and India on Saturday discussed expanding their "counter-terrorism" collaboration following recent fighting between India and Pakistan, Britain's foreign minister told Reuters after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

British foreign minister David Lammy is the highest-profile Western official to have visited both New Delhi and Islamabad since the South Asian neighbors agreed to a ceasefire last month after their worst fighting in nearly three decades.

The latest tensions began in April after the killing of 26 men in Indian Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denied. India then attacked what it called "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan, leading to escalation from both sides until a May 10 ceasefire.

"We want the situation to be maintained, but of course we recognize fragility, particularly in the backdrop of terrorism, terrorism designed to destabilize India," Lammy said in an interview at the residence of the British High Commissioner in New Delhi.

"We are keen to continue to work with our Indian partners on counter-terrorism measures."

He said he discussed the next steps with both Modi and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, but gave no specifics.

Last year, India and Britain discussed combating the financing of terrorism, cooperation between law enforcement and judicial bodies and information sharing.

Lammy said he also discussed boosting trade between the world's fifth and sixth largest economies. The countries concluded talks for a free trade deal early last month.

"I know that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is very much looking forward to coming to India very soon to sign the free trade agreement," Lammy said. "There is so much that our two nations can continue to do together."