The Russian ambassador has died. Note that the assassin is making the one-finger-upraised signal that has come to signify allegiance to the Islamic State. It is widely rumored that Erdogan is actively supporting the Islamic State, so this could be taken in Moscow as an act of war against Russia — and that could escalate quickly.
“Gunman opens fire on Russian ambassador to Turkey at exhibit,” AP, December 19, 2016:
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A gunman opened fire on Russia’s ambassador to Turkey at a photo exhibition on Monday. The Russian foreign ministry confirmed he was shot, but did not immediately say anything about his condition.
Turkish police shot and killed the gunman, Turkish station NTV reported.
The ambassador, Andrei Karlov, was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition in the capital, Ankara, 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. The attacker also said some words in Russian and smashed several of the photos hung for the exhibition. There was panic as people ran for cover. NTV said three other people were wounded in the attack….