Two Russian embassy staff in Kabul were among six people killed when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the entrance of the embassy, in a blast that injured at least 10 others, the Russian Foreign Ministry and Afghan officials said Monday.
The ministry did not offer any details as to who the staff members were or how they died. Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti reported earlier, citing anonymous sources, that 15-20 people were killed or wounded as the result of an apparent suicide bombing.
Daesh later claimed responsibility for the attack, sharing in a statement on Telegram that a Daesh fighter "blew up his suicide vest in a gathering attended by Russian employees."
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that an unknown militant set off an explosive device near the entrance to the consular section of the embassy at around 10:50 a.m. Kabul time.
"As a result of the attack, two employees of the diplomatic mission were killed, and there are also victims among Afghan citizens," the ministry said.
The four others killed were Afghan civilians, Khalid Zadran, a Kabul police spokesperson said.
According to RIA Novosti, the blast occurred when a Russian diplomat came out to the people queuing outside to call out the names of the candidates for a visa.
Afghan police also said earlier that a suicide bomber had detonated explosives near the entrance to the Russian Embassy in Kabul, adding the attacker was shot dead by armed guards as he approached the gate.
"The suicide attacker before reaching the target was recognized and shot by Russian Embassy (Taliban) guards ... there is no information about casualties yet," Mawlawi Sabir, the head of the police district where the attack took place, told Reuters.
There were conflicting reports about the target of the blast. Some sources quoted a witness who said that the blast happened in front of the embassy as Afghans were waiting for visas.
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the blast.
"In light of recent events, UNAMA stresses the need for the de facto authorities to take steps to ensure the safety and security of the people as well as diplomatic missions," the U.N. wrote on Twitter, in reference to the Taliban government.
Russia is one of the few countries to have maintained an embassy in Kabul after the Taliban took over the country more than a year ago. Although Moscow does not officially recognize the Taliban's government, they have been in talks with officials over an agreement to supply gasoline and other commodities.
