Afghanistan: suicide attack outside Russian embassy in Kabul, days after mosque bombing in Herat

A suicide bombing occurred outside the Russian embassy in Afghanistan's Kabul on 5 September 2022. At least 2 embassy staffers and one civilian were confirmed dead in the aftermath of the attack. News reports suggested that the death toll could be much higher.

The explosion occurred when a Russian diplomat came out to address a queue of people who had applied for visas. Reports said that the suicide bomber tried to approach the people outside the embassy but was spotted by security personnel before he could reach them. Subsequently, security forces shot the suicide bomber.

It is still unclear whether the attacker triggered the explosion before he was shot, or whether the bullets caused the detonation.

Just days earlier, on 2 September, an explosion had occurred at a crowded mosque in Herat in western Afghanistan. Over 15 people died, including a prominent cleric considered close to the ruling Taliban.

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