At the end of May, a disturbing incident took place in the Russian city of Vladivostok, located in the Far East region of the country.
Attack on an EU Diplomat in Vladivostok
A diplomat working for the European Union, originally from Romania, was physically attacked while on an official trip. She was walking near her hotel early in the morning, around 7:00 a.m. local time, when a car suddenly stopped next to her. Two men stepped out and began threatening and hitting her.
This assault caused serious concern within the European diplomatic community. Both the European Commission and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed the attack. The diplomat attended the trip as part of her official duties for the EU delegation in Russia and did not take part in any local matters unrelated to her mission.
The incident took place while she was taking a walk before her scheduled meetings. She reportedly couldn’t sleep and went outside for some fresh air. But shortly after leaving the hotel, the unmarked car appeared. The two men who assaulted her did not explain why they were doing so. They left her shaken, and the attack appeared planned and intentional.
Rising Concerns Among Western Officials
Following the attack, strong reactions emerged from Western diplomatic circles based in Moscow. Officials have raised concerns that Russian security personnel may have carried out the incident. Although no one has officially confirmed this, sources inside the European Union believe the men may have ties to Russia’s security services.
The diplomat was quickly removed from Russian territory after the assault. She is now safely back in Brussels, where she has received support. Officials did not officially release any information about her current health condition, but authorities stated that she is safe and in good health.
The diplomat’s visit to Vladivostok was part of her duties with the EU’s External Action Service. She had been working alongside other EU colleagues and was expected to visit local consulates from other European countries. These visits are routine and part of regular diplomatic work.
Monitoring and surveillance of foreign diplomats in Russia is not new. European officials widely acknowledge that Russian agents, especially those believed to be from the FSB, often watch, follow, and even film diplomats. However, a physical attack of this nature is rare and alarming.
Investigations into Diplomat Assault and Official Reactions
After the assault, the Romanian authorities were informed immediately. The diplomat received help from the Romanian consular office in Moscow. The European Union’s diplomatic service also launched its own investigation into the matter. Both institutions are now working together to understand exactly what happened.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that their security and investigative services are fully involved. However, they are waiting for the European Union’s team to complete their initial assessment before making any public statements about who might be responsible.
One of the spokespersons for the European Commission called the attack unacceptable and emphasized that the EU would not tolerate such violence against its officials. EU officials also summoned a Russian representative in Belgium to demand explanations.
As a reminder, international law requires host countries to protect diplomats where they work. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations clearly states that countries must treat members of diplomatic missions with respect and protect them from harm. This rule applies globally, including in Russia and the European Union.
For now, the only confirmed facts are that the assault took place on May 26, early in the morning, and that the victim was a Romanian diplomat representing the EU. She was beaten by unknown men who emerged from a car while she was walking outside. She has since left Russia and is currently in a safe location.
The incident has left many questions unanswered, especially regarding the identity and motives of the attackers. However, the investigation is ongoing, and more details may become available as the European Union’s diplomatic team continues to look into the matter. For now, the focus remains on the safety and well-being of the diplomat and understanding how such an attack could happen during an official EU mission in Russia.