An unnamed individual discarded a suspicious bag on the grounds of the Russian Consulate General in Sydney, Australia, according to statements from the Russian diplomatic mission. This incident was reported by TASS.
Officials note that around 11 a.m. local time, which corresponds to 3 a.m. in Moscow, a man approached the fence of the Russian Consulate General in Sydney and hurled a duffel bag onto the consulate premises. In response, staff refused to admit visitors for safety reasons and promptly summoned law enforcement.
The local police sealed off the street housing the Consulate General and, after a preliminary inspection of the bag, called in bomb disposal and forensic experts for a more thorough examination.
In related diplomatic news, the Russian Embassy in Helsinki previously requested Finnish authorities to ensure security measures for the upcoming presidential elections in Russia, aiming to safeguard the electoral process.
Additionally, the Russian Embassy in Moldova expressed hope that local authorities would establish polling stations on Moldovan soil to enable Russian citizens to cast their ballots in the presidential elections.
Earlier reports note that a Russian police officer in a store neutralized a man wielding a live grenade, underscoring ongoing security concerns in the region.