Car attack on Russian consulate in Sydney: investigations underway!

Car attack on Russian consulate in Sydney: investigations underway!

In Sydney, Australia, an unusual incident occurred at the Russian Consulate in the early dawn of September 1, 2025. A 39-year-old man drove his vehicle directly into the entrance to the diplomatic mission, which brought the New South Wales Police into action. The car was parked illegally in the driveway when officers arrived to speak to the driver. Instead, the man headed towards the gates of the consulate and was subsequently arrested. He is reportedly cooperating with investigators, while the background to this crime remains unclear. Local media published images of a white vehicle with two broken windows parked on the lawn in front of the consulate next to the Russian flag.

The Sydney incident could be viewed against the backdrop of increasing tensions between Russia and Western states. These tensions have been particularly fueled in recent years by the Ukraine conflict. In another incident that took place on February 26, 2025, several explosive devices were dropped in the garden of the Russian Consulate General in Marseille. Two French researchers, employees of the renowned French research center CNRS, have confessed to this attack. They said they had thrown three plastic bottles containing improvised explosive devices into the consulate garden. Although two of the bottles exploded, there was no significant damage. The attack was linked to the Ukraine War because the researchers had previously taken part in a solidarity demonstration marking the third anniversary of Russia's war of aggression.

Reactions to the incidents

The Russian Foreign Ministry initially described the incident in Marseille as a “terrorist attack” and called for a comprehensive investigation. In addition, the French Foreign Ministry condemned the “violation of the security of diplomatic missions”. These incidents come within a larger context of diplomatic tensions between Russia and Western countries. In Germany, the situation is further complicated by the federal government's decision to close almost all Russian consulates and its own representations in Russia. This measure is a response to Russia's decision to limit the number of German officials in Russia to 350.

The withdrawal of German diplomats is expected to be completed by the end of the year, which means that Russia will only be allowed to operate one embassy in Berlin and one consulate. The Foreign Ministry spokesman described Russia's decision as a "step of escalation" and partly as a "reciprocal measure" to the closure of German consulates in Russia. It remains to be seen which four of the five Russian consulates general in Germany will be closed while talks between the two countries take place.

The ongoing tensions are not just the result of diplomatic routine, but reflect deeper geopolitical conflicts that have escalated since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. In April 2022, Russia declared several German diplomats as “undesirable persons,” which led to mutual expulsions. These incidents highlight the fragility of diplomatic relations in an increasingly tense international climate.