Russian consulate rocked by 'explosion' on third anniversary of Ukraine war

An explosion has rocked a Russian consulate in France, according to reports.

The blast took place inside the building in the southern city of Marseille, Russia's consul general in Marseille, Stanislav Oranskiy, said on Monday, according to Russian news outlet RBC.

French media earlier reported that a loud explosion was heard near the Russian Consulate in the port city, with firefighters attending the scene.

According to Russian state news agency TASS, the Russian foreign ministry described the incident as bearing the hallmarks of a "terrorist attack" and called on French authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova claimed the blast "has all the hallmarks of terrorism".

Russian state news agency reported that three explosive devices were thrown into the building, one of which did not explode.

There were no casualties, the report added.