Russian ambassador shot dead in Turkey

An unnamed gunman gestures after shooting the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, at a photo gallery in Ankara, Turkey, Dec 19, 2016. [Photo/IC]

ANKARA - The Russian ambassador to Turkey has died after being shot by a gunman in Ankara, where he was attending a photo exhibition, reported Russia Today citing information from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The assault in Turkey is an “act of terrorism,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters on Monday evening.

Zakharova said Moscow was in touch with Turkish authorities about the attack.

"Today, during a public event, an unknown person opened fire chaotically," Zakharova was cited as saying. "As a result, Andrey Karlov, the ambassador to Turkey, received a gunshot wound."

Andrei Karlov, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, pauses during a speech at a photo exhibition in Ankara, Dec 19, 2016, moments before a gunman opened fire on him. [Photo/IC]

The ambassador was injured after he was about to deliver a speech on the opening of the exhibition "Russia in the eyes of Turks."

Photos purportedly showing the perpetrator bearing a firearm are now increasingly circulating on social media. Users are also posting pictures which they say show the Russian ambassador lying on the ground after having been shot, according to Russia Today.

Turkish broadcaster NTV said three other people were wounded.

Russia and Turkey have been involved in conflict in Syria across the border from where over two million Syrian refugees have settled.

An unnamed gunman shouts after shooting the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, at a photo gallery in Ankara, Turkey, Dec 19, 2016. [Photo/IC]