A 39-year-old man has been taken into custody after crashing his car into the front gate of the Russian consulate in Sydney‘s Woollahra suburb. The incident occurred shortly after 8am on Monday, prompting a swift response from the New South Wales Police Force.
According to police, officers responded to reports of an “unauthorised vehicle” parked in the driveway of the consulate. When they tried to speak with the driver, he “drove his vehicle into the gates of the property.” A 24-year-old constable was injured in the hand during the incident.
Television footage showed a car with a smashed window abandoned next to a Russian flagpole, with damage to the passenger and driver side windows.
Police are believed to have used their batons to try to get into the car. The vehicle has since been towed from the grounds, and staff at the Russian consulate remained inside the building.
There was no immediate comment from the Russian diplomatic mission. People who had gathered at the consulate for visa appointments reported that the consulate closed briefly in the morning before opening again.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police seeking to determine the motivations behind the driver’s actions. The incident has raised concerns about the security of diplomatic missions in Australia and the potential for further incidents.
In recent years, Australia has seen a rise in tensions between different communities, with some individuals and groups expressing anti-Russian or anti-immigrant sentiments. The incident at the Russian consulate may be linked to these broader societal trends.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting diplomatic missions and personnel, and the need for vigilance in the face of potential threats.