Turkey's foreign ministry slams attack on Russian envoy

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned what it described as a "heinous terrorist attack" which claimed the life of Russia’s envoy to Ankara, Andrey Karlov, on Monday evening.

Karlov died after being shot at an art exhibition in the Turkish capital.

"We will not allow this attack to harm Turkey-Russia relations. We offer our deepest condolences to the Russian state and people on this hard day," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added Turkey would continue to fight against terrorism with determination alongside "Russia and all other allies".

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik also "strongly condemned" the assassination of the Russian ambassador.

"Whoever is behind this attack will be brought to light," Isik said.

Karlov had been delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of an art gallery when an assailant opened fire on the diplomat before shooting into the air, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent who witnessed the incident.

The envoy was seriously wounded and immediately taken to Guven Hospital in the capital’s Cankaya district but later died.

Police special forces neutralized the assailant in an operation that lasted around 15 minutes.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said her country regarded the shooting as a "terror attack".

Russia will raise the issue at the UN Security Council, she added.