Russian attack on Kyiv damages Portuguese embassy and several others – photos, video

Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires in Lisbon after the Portuguese embassy in Kyiv was damaged during a Russian missile attack on the morning of 20 December.

Source: Portuguese broadcaster RTP; European Pravda

Details: Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel emphasised that the attack on the embassy warranted a strong diplomatic response.

The damage to the Portuguese embassy was minor, including broken windows and damaged doors, with no casualties reported.

Other embassies affected by the strike include those of Argentina, Albania and Montenegro. The Portuguese foreign minister said multiple diplomatic missions are located in the same building.

Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal and Montenegro sustained damage.

Quote from Tykhyi: "Windows, doors and parts of the ceilings in the premises were broken. These barbaric attacks on diplomatic missions cross all conceivable red lines and violate international norms."

Quote from the Portuguese foreign minister: "This warrants the strongest condemnation. Any Russian attack on Ukraine or Kyiv is unacceptable. However, it is absolutely unacceptable for attacks to target diplomatic facilities."

More details: The Russian chargé d'affaires in Lisbon was summoned to the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be presented with a formal protest, as the Russian ambassador was not in Lisbon. 

Rangel added that "under no circumstances should diplomatic missions be targeted, according to international diplomatic rules".

The foreign minister said the embassy’s security had been regularly reinforced, noting that staff had sometimes refrained from working onsite due to safety concerns.

Quote from Rangel: "This is part of a scenario that obviously involves risks, particularly personal risks. In any case, it is clear that under no circumstances should there be any impact, let alone a targeted attack, on any diplomatic mission in any country."

When asked about the European Union's stance, he said: "For the time being, this is the position that the Portuguese Republic must take with the Russian Federation. Other steps will be taken at another level a little later."

Background: 

• During Russia’s combined missile and drone attack in the early hours of 20 December, Ukraine's air defence intercepted five ballistic missiles heading for Kyiv and 40 drones in eight oblasts. Another twenty drones failed to hit their targets.
• US Ambassador Bridget Brink condemned the attack and reaffirmed that the US, along with its partners, is enhancing security assistance to Ukraine. 
• Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also criticised the attack, stating that it demonstrated Russia’s lack of interest in peace.

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