Russian ambassador shot dead – as it happened: Andrey Karlov assassinated at Ankara photo exhibition

Andrey Karlov was shot in the back as he made a speech

Man shouts 'We die in Aleppo, you die here' after shooting dead Russian ambassador to Turkey

The Russian ambassador to Turkey has died after being shot in the capital city of Ankara. Andrey Karlov was shot in the back as he made a speech at a photo exhibition in the Turkish capital.

Latest updates

• Andrew Karlov shot in the back while making speech
• Russian ambassador dies of his wounds
• Attacker 'was police officer'
• Attacker allegedly shouted "We die in Aleppo, you die here"
• Russia calls assassination 'a terrorist act'

Read our liveblog of the aftermath of the attack as it happened

Mr Karlov was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition when a man wearing a suit and tie shouted "Allahu akbar" and fired at least eight shots, according to an AP photographer in the audience.

Mr Karlov died of his wounds, Russia's state-run RIA news agency reported, citing an unnamed source.

There was no official confirmation of the death from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Turkish police shot and killed the gunman, Turkey's NTV reported.

Russia has said it regards the killing of its ambassador to Ankara "as a terrorist attack".

"Today in Ankara as a result of an attack, the ambassador of the Russian Federation to Turkey, Andrey Gennadyevich Karlov, received a wound from which he died," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"We regard this as a terrorist act."

Mr Karlov had represented Russia in the country since 2013.

[19 December 2016 17:57 · Samuel Osborne]

The gunman who shot the Russian ambassador was a police officer who worked in the Turkish capital, two security sources have told Reuters.

[19 December 2016 18:01 · Samuel Osborne]

US State Department spokesman John Kirby said: "We have seen reports that the Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov and others have been attacked by a gunman in Ankara.

"We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."

[19 December 2016 18:03 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 December 2016 18:06 · Samuel Osborne]

The gunman shouted in Turkish "Don't forget Aleppo! Don't forget Syria!" 

The man then yelled: "Stand back! Stand back! Only death will take me out of here. Anyone who has a role in this oppression will die one by one." 

[19 December 2016 18:12 · Samuel Osborne]

The attacker is believed to have used his official identification to enter the art gallery, before opening fire on the ambassador as he gave a speech.

It was unclear whether he was on or off duty at the time of the shooting.

He fired at least eight shots, according to an Associated Press photographer in the audience. 

[19 December 2016 18:13 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 December 2016 18:14 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 December 2016 18:22 · Samuel Osborne]

Russian tourists in Turkey have been advised to avoid crowded places following the attack.

[19 December 2016 18:26 · Samuel Osborne]

The attacker also shouted "Allahu akbar," the Arabic phrase for "God is great" and continued in Arabic: "We are the descendants of those who supported the Prophet Muhammad, for jihad."

[19 December 2016 18:29 · Samuel Osborne]

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan immediately after the assassination.