Russian DM Calls Assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Terrorist Act

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the assassination of Russian Ambassador in Turkey Andrey Karlov was connected with Russia's efforts to fight international terrorism, adding that Moscow would not stop its efforts in the struggle.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday called the murder of Russian Ambassador in Turkey Andrey Karlov a terrorist attack and called for a thorough investigation.

"Unfortunately, I must begin our meeting with [discussion of] yesterday's tragic event — the terrorist act committed against the Russian Federation represented by our Ambassador in the Turkish Republic Andrey Karlov," Shoigu said at a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Fikri Isik.

"We hope that a thorough investigation will be carried out and those guilty will be found and punished," he said.

Shoigu said the assassination was connected with Russia's efforts to fight international terrorism, adding that Moscow would not stop its efforts in the struggle.

"We will not stop in this struggle… and I am convinced we will achieve a result through joint efforts," he said.

Karlov was shot by a gunman at an art gallery exhibition opening in Ankara late on Monday. Doctors announced the ambassador's death 40 minutes after his hospitalization. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it considers the attack a terrorist act.