A suicide bombing attack has killed at least six people including a top Russian diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A criminal case has now been opened into the death of Mikhail Shakh, an event described by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as a "terrorist act."
Lavrov, visiting neighbouring Tajikistan added: "Let’s hope that the organizers and perpetrators of this terrorist act will suffer their deserved punishment in the very near future."
Russia is one of a limited number of countries to have kept an embassy in Kabul after the Taliban takeover last year.
They do not officially recognise Taliban Afghanistan but are in talks to supply them with 1 million metric tonnes of oil.
One Russian security guard and four Afghans are also among the dead as the bomber attacked while people queued up for visas.
The device managed to detonate as Taliban guards shot dead the bomber, occurring as an embassy official went to visit the queueing crowd waiting to hear about visas, according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
The total number of casualties and extent of the damage is unknown at this time, though unconfirmed reports say the blast was heard as far out as between three and four miles away in the Afghan city.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said: "On September 5, at 10:50 a.m. Kabul time, in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the consular section of the Russian Embassy in Kabul, an unknown militant set off an explosive device.
"As a result of the attack, two employees of the diplomatic mission were killed, and there are also victims among Afghan citizens."
Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Kabul police chief, said at least one civilian was killed and 10 others were wounded.
"The embassy is in close contact with the Afghan security services, which are investigating," the Foreign Ministry added.
No group has yet come forward to claim responsibility for the apparent terror attack.
Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi added: "We will not allow such plans of the enemies to affect our bilateral relations."
Head of the local police district Mawlawi Sabir said: "The suicide attacker before reaching the target, was recognised and shot by Russian embassy (Taliban) guards ... there is no information about casualties yet."
Local journalist Bilal Sarwary reported a local resident told him: "There was a powerful explosion on the Dar al-Aman road, close to the Russian embassy in Kabul. Windows and glass of my home shattered."
The attack took place only days after a huge explosion at a mosque in the country killed a well-known pro-Taliban cleric and multiple civilians.
At least 18 were killed along with cleric Mujib-ul Rahman Ansari in the attack as the blast went off at the Guzargah Mosque in Herat during Friday noon prayers.A further 21 people were injured.
Islamic State remains a significant presence in Afghanistan as bombings continue to rock Kabul and other areas.
Supporters of the Taliban hope their strict doctrine would provide a harsh rule of law in the country that may deter such events.
