Gunman opens fire in central Moscow - policeman injured in Russian attack
GUNFIRE erupted on the streets of central Moscow this evening after an armed man opened fire on police near the Russian foreign ministry.
Moscow: Gunman opens fire on police
Police say the gunman began shooting at two officers “for no reason” as he walked past them on a street in the Russian capital.
The attacker died in hospital after being shot in the head during the exchange of gunfire, Russian news agency TASS reports.
One police officer was wounded in the leg.
Moscow police said the attack happened at 6pm BST (8pm local time).
The force said the gunman was targeting officers who were providing security for diplomatic missions in the area.
A spokeswoman for Russia’s investigative committee said: “A man, who was walking along the Sivtsev Vrazhek Lane in Moscow has opened fire at the police officers with no apparent reason as they were passing by.”
The spokeswoman added that a criminal investigation has been launched into the endangerment of the life of a law enforcement officer.
In a video showing the aftermath of the shooting, the gunman is seen lying face down on a pavement while two officers stand guard.
Pictures from the scene posted on social media also show a handgun on the ground.
The weapon resembles the Soviet-made Stechkin automatic pistol, RT reports.
The shooting took place not far from the Russian foreign ministry building, a statement from the Russian committee in charge of criminal enquiries said.
Russia has faced a wave of violence and terrorism in recent years, with 30 incidents and 36 recorded deaths in 2017 alone.
In April 2017, a suicide attack on the St Petersburg metro resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals along with many injuries.
And in 2011, 37 individuals, including a British national, were killed in a suicide bombing at Moscow Domodedovo airport.
Additional reporting by Matthew Robinson